Lindermont Lovers

Scanning, uploading and/or distribution of this book via the Internet, print, audio recordings or any other means without the permission of the Publisher is illegal and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, events and characters are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Ascension Copyright©2009 Max Griffin ISBN 978-1-60054-327-2 Dark Fantasy Edition Cover art and design by Anastasia Rabiyah All rights reserved. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation. Published by loveyoudivine 2009 Find us on the World Wide Web at www.loveyoudivine.com

Dedicated to my friend and colleague, D. Château, who gave me the idea for this story and who guided my craft throughout its creation.

He who climbs upon the highest mountains laughs at all tragedies, real or imaginary. —Friedrich Nietzsche

Also Sprach Zarathustra

Max Griffin

- Day One -

"How much farther is it?" Gabe's hands gripped the steering wheel and his eyes focused on the twisting blacktop road that swooped through the mountains. He squinted into the mid-morning sun as it flashed over the granite cliffs while their SUV climbed to the top of one peak and descended back into the shadows of the dense pine forest. "Looks like we've got just a couple of miles to the parking lot." The geological survey maps rustled in Luke's hands while he folded and creased them. His fingers traced the bright yellow line he'd marked out last week, plotting their route from Portland to western Oregon and Slain's Peak State Park. "Relax, will you? This is supposed to be our vacation. You look like a violin string about to snap." "I'm just not used to taking pin-wheel curves next to hundred-foot cliffs. This is more rugged than I'd expected." 1

The Ascension The road straightened, and he risked a glance at his passenger. Excitement and anticipation flashed through him at the sight of his lover's tousled, chestnut hair and chiseled features. Luke hadn't shaved that morning, and already bristles darkened his cheeks. "I can't wait until we're out of this car and on the trails." "Mmm. Me too, I guess," Luke murmured. He jumped at the shrill ring of his cell phone and pulled it from his shirt pocket. "Weston here." Gabe scowled and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He did his best to ignore the muttered conversation in the next seat. Damn it, anyway. I'd like to take that frikkin' cell phone and shove it... He took a deep breath and didn't finish the thought. His jaw muscles jumped, and his leg ached from the tension of the drive. Luke snapped his phone closed. "God, you'd think he didn't have two brain cells to click together." "Who was it?" "Will. I told him not to call unless it was an emergency. What a dumb ass."

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Max Griffin Relief flooded through him on hearing it was just Will who had called. At least it wasn't some stupid emergency at work, some lame excuse to go back to Portland. "I wish you wouldn't call Will names. He's our best friend." Luke shook his head and sneered, "He's a fucking dumb ass, that's what he is. He didn't need to bother me about trivial shit from work. He called to ask about the menu for the board meeting next week, for fuck's sake! Sheesh! Best friend or not, he's not the sharpest pencil in our box." He reached out and stroked Gabe's shoulder. "Once we're on the trails, the cell phone won't work. We'll be alone at last." "I hope so." A grin toyed with his lips. "You're irresistible, you know that?" His fingers strayed for a moment from the steering wheel to grip his companion's hand. "Did you read the tourist guide I picked up at the last gas station?" "Those are always crap." "Yeah, but it might be a hoot to see what it said. Check it out for me, okay?" "Whatever." Luke flipped through the papers in the console until he found the brochure. "Slain's Peak, Mountain of Mystery. That it?"

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The Ascension "That's it! What's the mystery?" "Let's see what it says. Some propaganda first. Beautiful state park. Thanks be to our great Governor. Named for William Hay Slain, member of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Blah, blah, blah. Here it is. Some kind of Indian legend. 'The local native tribes believed the mountain to be hollow, filled with brightly lit tunnels. Evil spirits dwelt in these sinister places, coming out one night each fall to kidnap native children. Later, the children would return, murder their families, and drink their blood.' Sounds like a bad Kevin Costner script to me. I can see it now: Running with Vampires." "Don't be flip. These legends almost always have some historical basis. Vlad the Impaler was a historical figure." "Looks to me more like some over-zealous park ranger with a fetish for vampire legends made something up to scare the tourists." Luke snorted and tossed the flyer on the floor. "Hey, there's a turn-off ahead. Is that it?" Luke peered at the map and then at the road. "Yeah, there's a sign. Slain's Peak Trail Head. That's where we start!"

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Max Griffin Their SUV crunched into the graveled parking lot. Luke hopped out and hastened to the back to unload their gear. Gabe's joints creaked as he dragged himself from the driver's seat and stretched. The crisp autumn air tingled against his skin, and his nose filled with the scents of pine and juniper that wafted from the wildwood. Sunlight and shadow scattered across the clearing in gentle waves, in harmony with the breezes flowing through the trees. Waggling his shoulders to loosen cramped muscles, he let his eyes rove over his lover's rangy, muscular form. His heart quickened at the sight of the solid legs that bulged from Luke's hiking shorts like hairy tree trunks. He grinned before turning to the rear-view mirror to tie his hair into a ponytail. Luke shrugged into his backpack, his muscles dancing in an elegant ballet under his t-shirt. He tossed his hair from his eyes and glared at the peak that towered overhead. "We made good time getting here. We shouldn't' have any trouble getting to the camper's cabin this afternoon." Thumb and forefinger toyed with the day's growth of beard on his chin while he assessed the map. "Well, if not, we've got our tent." Gabe struggled with his backpack. Its bulk overpowered his fey form and he stumbled against the car.

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The Ascension "Here, let me help." Irritation fouled Luke's mouth and tinged his voice, but his strong hands hefted the pack onto Gabe's shoulders and cinched it into place. "Thanks. It's just kind of awkward, you know?" He could already feel his shoulders and back ache. "I hope I don't hold you back." "Don't be such a weenie. You'll do fine." The hatch on the SUV slammed shut, and he hitched at his pack. "You going to lock the car?" Don't call me a weenie! Shame flushed through him and he turned his back, reaching into his pocket for his keys. The lights flashed and the horn beeped when he pushed the button. "I guess I'm ready." He waved at the empty parking lot. "Looks like we'll have the trails to ourselves, at least." "Yeah, it's late enough in the season that there shouldn't be any tourists out. And no rug rats, thank God." Luke strode off down the trail without looking back. "Wait up!" He ran after the retreating figure, letting the brush near the overgrown parking lot scrape against his exposed arms and legs.

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Max Griffin The two men hiked in silence for over two hours. The trail twisted and turned, passing occasional markers describing points of geological or historical interest and confirming the track. A primeval silence permeated the forest, broken only by the occasional rustle of the breezes in the trees and the crunch of their footfalls. The ripe scent of decomposing vegetation mixed with a frisson of sage to create a surreal medley of freshness and decay. At the narrowest points of the trail, needles from young firs prickled against their skin and mixed with clammy sweat from the exertion of the climb. Gabe's chest ached and his breath panted in ragged husks. He held back a bit to hide the sounds of his fatigue from his partner, who trudged on ahead oblivious to anything but conquering the mountain. At last, Luke stopped in a clearing and slipped out of his backpack. "This looks like a good place for a rest and lunch." He opened one of the myriad pockets on his pack and pulled out two MRE's that he'd purchased from the Army Surplus store on Roosevelt Street back in Portland. "Heads up!" He tossed one to Gabe. He snatched at it and missed. God, now he's going to call me a sissy. He stooped over and rescued his meal, glad that the packing hadn't ruptured on the hard scrabble of the trail.

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The Ascension "Thanks." He heaved a sigh of relief and let his pack thump to the ground. "Do you know how to heat it up?" Luke's voice was flat and his eyes held no expression. He twisted his meal open and poured water from his canteen into the packet of heating chemicals. "Yeah, I think I can manage." He collapsed next to his pack and dug through it, sneaking a baggie filled with fine, white crystals from a hidden pocket. Luke was reading the instructions that came with his MRE and squeezing one of the packets. Good, he's not looking. He moistened a finger and rubbed some of the powder on his teeth and gums, gulped down water from his canteen, and slipped the baggie back into its hiding place. Euphoria flashed through him, and his fingers twitched while he doused the outer packet of his MRE and squished water and chemicals together. He sprawled on his back while the mixture heated his meal and the crank flushed the weariness from his system. His eyes turned upward. "God, look how blue the sky is. And how white the clouds are." He rolled over and stared at his lover. "I'm glad we came here, aren't you?" Luke stirred his meal with the little, plastic spoon that came with it. "Yeah, I am." He glanced up and a smile lit his 8

Max Griffin features like sunlight as their eyes met. "Think you'll be up for a little exercise tonight, when we get to the cabin?" Gabe let an impish grin flash across his features. "I'm never too tired for that kind of exercise!" He reached out for his meal and snatched his hand back at the heat. Brown, gloppy gravy and lumps of meat spilled onto the rocks. "Sweet Jesus! That thing is hot!" "Be careful! The chemical reaction's how you get a hot meal without a fire." Concern pooled in his eyes. "You okay? You want some of mine?" "No, I'm good." Gabe spooned up some of the brownish meat and blew on it before taking a nibble. "Yum! I detect just a touch of tarragon and saffron in the sauce, don't you think?" "I know, I know. So it's not elegant cuisine. But this is a hiking trip, to connect us back to nature." Gabe reached out and their hands joined. "And to connect back with each other, right?" Luke exhaled in a not-quite snort. "If you say so. You're such a goof. We're fine; don't you know that?"

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The Ascension He squeezed the other's hand. "Yes, I know that." I wonder, sometimes, though, if you know that, my dear. He returned to his meal. They ate in silence. When they were finished, they dug a hole to bury the cardboard and plastic containers and then lounged in the sunlight. Gabe rolled over and ran a finger along Luke's cheek. "You're all prickly." "You want me to shave?" "No. You're sexy like that. All itchy. I like to know I'm kissing a man." Luke grinned and let his fingers roam over Gabe's torso, ending at the tent in his shorts. "I like to know that, too." He twisted and their lips met. "I feel like an ape next to you sometimes. You're so smooth and perfect, and I'm all covered with hair, like an animal. It's like I'm the caveman and you're the man of the future." "Ah, the Eloi and the Morlock. A match made in heaven." He ruffled the other's hair. "Speaking of animals, shouldn't we be hearing some? Hasn't it been awful quiet around here?"

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Max Griffin "Now that you mention it, yeah. I'm not sure what's going on with that." He stood and shook himself. "We should get going if we're going to make the cabin before sundown. Do you need help with your pack?" Gabe struggled to his feet. "No, I can manage. Let's go! Lead on, MacDuff, and cursed be him who first calls, 'Hold, enough.'" "If you're going to show off, you should at least get the quote right." He reached out and straightened Gabe's pack. "There. Don't want that strap biting into you." During the afternoon, the trail grew steeper and more difficult, slowing their pace. When the path permitted, Gabe walked at Luke's side and held his hand. When it narrowed along a rocky crag or next to a steep cliff, he was content to follow behind, admiring his partner's muscled frame as it clambered over the rocky path. By the time the late afternoon sun slanted behind them and fatigue toxins laced through his muscles, even the slower pace became a struggle. "Can we stop...for just a bit...so I can adjust my pack?" He swore at himself for the way his breath heaved and his words escaped between pants.

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The Ascension "Sure." Luke turned and walked backwards for a few steps. "Geeze, you're soaked with sweat! I'm sorry." He whirled back around and peered up the trail. "It looks like there's a little flat space at the top of this hill. Let's stop there and take stock." Their packs clunked to the rock and Gabe flopped on a boulder. His sweat-soaked t-shirt clung to his chest and left him chilled and clammy, despite the bright sun. Luke squatted on his haunches next to him and rustled with the maps. "I think we're here." He pointed at the map and looked up. "According to this, the cabin shouldn't be too far away. After the next ridge, there's a little valley and a mountain stream. The cabin's just on the other side of that. I bet we can be there in another hour, at most." "Another hour?" His heart still thumped in his chest, but he managed to control his breath. "I guess I can manage that." He sat up and rubbed his shins. "Lie down, on your face. Let me give you a back rub for a few minutes." Luke straddled him and his strong hands kneaded at his back. "How's that feel?" "Mmm....great. I think I'll just fall asleep right here. You want to turn my bed down and leave me some hot choc12

Max Griffin olate on the night stand? Oh, and maybe put some Annie Lennox on the stereo?" Luke slapped at his shoulders. "You're being a weenie again." This time, his voice held a playful lilt. "I admit, a four star hotel sounds pretty good right now. But once we get our camp set and a fire built, it'll all seem worth it." He pulled away and lifted his pack. "Come on. The sooner we get there, the sooner you can relax." A sigh gusted from his lips as he struggled to his feet. "I can't wait." The bulky pack made him stagger as he sped after Luke. "Wait up, will you? I don't have this damned thing on..." His words broke as his foot caught in a crag in the trail. He stumbled forward, his arms pin-wheeling and the massive pack propelling him like a freight train. One step, two, three, and then his hands slammed onto the gravel of the trail and a rock tore into his knee. Bare flesh, exposed below his hiking shorts, ripped open in a jagged wound. "Oh my God! Are you all right?" Luke ran to him and knelt at his side. "Let me see you. Look at your knee! You're bleeding." His voice shook while his hands trembled over Gabe's body, reassuring himself that no bones were broken.

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The Ascension "Fuck, what a klutz I am." Ignoring his injuries, he bounced to his feet and shook himself, over-balancing from his pack and teetering for a moment before steadying himself against a boulder. "Really, I'm fine. Just humiliated." He beamed and took a couple of steps, ignoring the pain that shot from his ankle. "See, I'm good." "You're limping. And there's blood running down your leg. Sit down and let me put a band-aid on your knee and check out your ankle." Luke shucked off his pack and rummaged inside, pulling out his first aid kit. "Seriously, I'm fine." He twisted his ankle back and forth. "It's not even sprained. Let me walk on it a bit, and I'll work out the charley horses." He sat on a boulder and swiped at the blood running down his shin. "We'll see. Is it swelling?" Luke opened a bandage with his teeth and unscrewed the antibiotic ointment. "No, I'm sure it's not. I'm such an idiot. Thanks for taking care of me." Luke cleaned the wound with a sterile gauze, dabbing at it to remove bits of sand and gravel. "That must hurt." His gaze flashed up to Gabe's face for an instant, his brown eyes filled with concern. Returning his attention to his ministra14

Max Griffin tions, he squeezed the ointment onto the bandage and pressed it onto the wound. "Okay, can you stand up?" Gabe stood and walked around. "It feels better already. See, the limp's almost gone." "Are you sure? We could just camp here. God, I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you!" Gabe walked up to him and tried to embrace him, but the pack got in the way. "I guess I'll just settle for a kiss." They traded a quick peck on the lips, their cheeks caressing for a brief moment. "I do love you, you know?" "I love you too, Goldilocks. You goof." He pursed his lips and squinted at the long shadows and the sun. "It'll be dark before we know it. Are you sure you can hike on?" "I'm sure. I want to sleep in that cabin tonight." He struggled out of his pack. "Give me just a second, will you. I need to adjust these friggin' straps." "You need help?" "Nah. I'm okay." "Cool. I need to take a leak, anyway." Luke wandered off behind an outcrop while Gabe dug into his pack and 15

The Ascension pulled out a couple of capsules filled with white powder. He gulped them down with water from his canteen, heaved a tremulous sigh, and shook himself as the drug blazed through him. He bounced to his feet and put his pack back on. "Okay, I'm ready!" The trail widened and the two strode side-by-side. Sure enough, when they reached the next rise the trail led to a little valley, filled with scrub trees and a meandering stream. At the bottom of the slope, less than fifty yards away, stood a log cabin with a stone chimney and firewood stacked to one side. Gabe whooped and took off down the trail in a loopy gallop, favoring his sore ankle and aching knee. "I can't wait!" He slowed when he got to the stream, splashed through the frigid water, and dropped his pack when he neared the cabin. Limping now, he started to shed clothing: his t-shirt first, and then he hopped on one foot and flung his running shorts to one side. At last at the cabin's doorway, he turned and slipped off his boxers. Standing naked except for his hiking boots and a sparse fringe of dirty blond hair at his crotch, he held his arms out. "Come to me, lover. I'm ready!" He waggled his hips and his hard cock bounced in response.

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Max Griffin Roaring with laughter, Luke raced after him and grabbed him by the shoulders. "You goof ball. Good thing no one else is around here!" Their lips met in a ravenous embrace, tongues twining about one another and teeth clacking together in their eagerness. His hard body and rough hiking clothes rasped against Gabe's flesh, which quivered in a paroxysm of pleasure. "God, get rid of that damned pack, will you?" Gabe's fingers tore at the straps as he helped Luke shed his burden. Stroking his own cock, he knelt before his lover and his mouth played with the hardness that erupted underneath his shorts. "That's nice. I can tell you're ready, too." His teeth nibbled at the snap and pulled at the zipper. "Ah, good, no underwear." Luke's shorts dropped to his ankles and his enormous cock sprang free. Gabe buried his face in the dark bristles at its base, inhaling the sweet, musky odors and tasting the salty bitterness of his sweat. He opened his throat and swallowed the rubbery flesh, reveling in the physical sensation and in the joy of surrender. A groan growled from deep within Luke's throat and his hips rotated in response to Gabe's ministrations. "Stop, stop man. Wait." He gripped Gabe's head and pulled him 17

The Ascension back while falling to his knees. His arms clasped about Gabe while his tongue probed anew. Gabe wrapped his arms about Luke's neck and pulled him closer while he fell on his back. In the proper position at last, he rested his boots on Luke's shoulders and maneuvered the other's cock back, toward his waiting hole. Pausing for a second to lubricate that marvelous organ with his saliva, he guided it inside and gasped. "Yes, yes, baby. Do it to me. Split me in half!" They danced the ancient rite of love and pleasure, of giving and receiving, each surrendering in his own way to the demands of the other. Their bodies sang a song electric, and they conjoined in erotic bliss. In and out, now fast, then slow, Gabe came apart even as their souls came together. In giving pleasure they found ecstasy, in surrender, triumph. Their heartbeats harmonized and their breaths beat as one. Luke's beard scraped upon Gabe's cheek, his hairy abdomen rippled against Gabe's smooth torso. In an explosion that annihilated him and confirmed him, Gabe shuddered with an orgasm that throbbed through his muscles and fountained deep into his soul. Above him, Luke's body spasmed and thrust against him, grinding into him, destroying and surmounting the distance between them. At last, his fluids jetted forth and

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Max Griffin splashed on his chest, with a trickle alighting upon his lips. At the same time, Luke collapsed upon him, panting and clinging to him. "God. That. Was. Fantastic." Gabe kissed his forehead. "You were right." A massive sigh blew from Luke's lungs. He kissed his lover, and a Cheshire grin played with his features. "I'm always right. What was I right about this time?" "You said it would be worth the wait, getting here. It was." "It sure was. You were great." He pulled away and rose to his knees. His chestnut hair fluttered in the wind and the half-light of dusk. He shuddered and stood. "It's kind of chilly. Let's get a fire started and fix some chow. Maybe we can do that again, after dinner." "I'm always ready for that!" Gabe stood and brushed grass and sand from his naked body before inspecting the cabin. "There's not much here. Dirt floor. Fireplace. No furniture. No room service. I see the maid forgot to dust. At least there's no rat droppings."

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The Ascension "It's supposed to be primitive, just enough to keep the weather off of us if it rains or anything. I'll start a fire if you'll get out the sleeping bags and the MRE's." That night, they huddled together in their sleeping bags on the dirt floor of the cabin. They toasted their toes before the glowing embers of their campfire, their bodies sated with good food, companionship, and the healthy fatigue of physical exertion. Gabe rose on an elbow to stare at his sleeping lover. Gentle snores puttered from his lips and he stirred in his sleep. Gabe stroked his cheek with the back of his finger, tears misting in his eyes. If it could only always be like this. He lay back and gazed out the single window of the cabin. The crystalline stars shimmered in the blackness of the night with a magnificence seen only in the mountains. Sudden as a flash of lightning, a shooting star flared across the heavens, trailing sparks like fireworks on the Fourth of July. It disappeared behind the ridge line and, with a puff of light, it was gone. Seconds later, a faint rumble growled through the mountain passes. In the distance, an owl's mournful dirge broke the silence, the only creature's voice to have sounded all day. Gabe wondered for a moment about what he'd seen and heard before he fell into the welcome arms of sleep.

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Max Griffin

- Day Two -

The day dawned gray and windy, with sullen clouds hiding the distant summit. Gabe crawled out of his sleeping bag and shivered in the morning chill. Rummaging in the pile of clothes from last night, he pulled on his boxers, hiking shorts, and t-shirt. Luke tossed in his sleep, snorted and resumed his gentle snoring. A smile gracing his features, Gabe dug into his knapsack looking for instant coffee. He glanced at the ashes in the fireplace and then stepped outside for some firewood. The chill morning air gripped him like a vice, and he clutched at his body for warmth. "Shit!" The cold acted like a vacuum pump, sucking at his bladder. He raced to the stream and relieved himself, staring about the little valley. Yesterday, in the glow of the afternoon sun it had seemed so green and welcoming. This morning, with colorless clouds roiling in the skies, it loomed sullen and lifeless. He squinted at a small, brown lump on the other side of the stream. Sure enough, it was the corpse of a ground squirrel, innards still glistening in 21

The Ascension the dim morning light, ravaged in the night by some predator. The wind shifted and he gagged at the fetid odor. He zipped up his shorts and trotted back to the cabin. Whoever had designed it had provided for a small fire pit built into the exterior of the chimney. He gathered some kindling and soon had a campfire suitable for boiling water and making coffee. Next, he dug into his pack and pulled out a baggie filled with white crystals. He shook some onto his palm and inhaled it. A shudder gripped his body. He held his breath, but a sneeze exploded anyway. Well, that'll take care of yesterday's aches and pains. He glanced into the cabin, but Luke still slept. He took a small pan from his pack and walked back to the stream, careful to retrieve his water upstream from where he had just stood. Before long, he had two steaming mugs of instant coffee in hand and padded back into the cabin. "Luke, honey. Wake up. I've got caffeine for you." He squatted, deposited both mugs on the dirt floor, and shook his lover's shoulder. "I saw a meteor last night. Maybe we should look for where it hit? If there's a blob there, you get to be Steve McQueen and I'll be your girlfriend." Luke shook his head and growled, "Go 'way." "Come on, now, honey. Rise and shine. Time to get up. Today's the day we hike to the top, right?" He leaned over and kissed him on the forehead, but snatched his lips back at

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Max Griffin first touch. "Luke! Are you all right? You're burning up!" He extended his palm to test it against his lover's brow. "Don't touch me!" Luke barked and shoved his hand away. "I'm fine. Just let me wake up." He shoved his sleeping bag aside and stood up. He winced and grabbed at his stomach. "Look out. Gotta piss." He staggered out the doorway and a wet splattering sound drifted into the cabin. Gabe waited a moment, to be polite, before following with the coffee mugs in hand. "Maybe you'll feel better after your morning joe." He stopped when gagging sounds erupted from his friend, followed by projectile vomiting. "My God, you're sick! We need to head back right now!" Luke shook his head and wiped his mouth on his arm. "I'm fine, I tell you. That damned MRE just didn't agree with me." He glowered at Gabe, his brow furrowed with impatience. "That my coffee?" "Yeah." Gabe handed it to him without thinking. "It's probably cold by now. I can fix more." "Cold is good." He took a mouthful, rinsed, and spat it out. "Gah. Get that throw-up taste out." "What's wrong? Let me feel you." He reached out again, and this time Luke didn't resist. "Geeze, now you feel cold instead of hot."

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The Ascension "Yeah. I'm better now. Honest. It was just a bad MRE. Your thermostat must have just been screwed up by the cold weather and the hot coffee." "Maybe." Doubt clung to his voice. "Shee-it! It's cold this morning. Where's my clothes? Still in the cabin?" He stalked off, and the rustle of garments and the zip of fasteners filled the air. "Fix me a cup of hot coffee, will you? Then we'll need to get started!" They warmed themselves before the little campfire and finished two more cups of coffee. The winds gusted and chased dead vegetation and other detritus about the clearing. The sky stayed gray and overcast, but the morning gloom lessened some with the rising sun. Gabe retrieved his foot gear. "It feels warmer, I think. What do you think?" Sitting on his haunches, he pulled his socks up to his knees, and then stretched his legs out and wiggled his toes in front of the fire. "Yeah. It gets cold at night in the mountains this time of year." Luke paused to pull on his boots. "There's another cabin, about a thousand feet below the summit. We should be able to make it there tonight, for sure." He glanced again at the clouds swirling overhead and said nothing. Clearing the campground, the two men trudged on up the trail. By mid-morning, they passed the timber line and nothing remained but occasional scraps of scrubby bushes. 24

Max Griffin The trail grew steeper, with sharp switchbacks and precipitous drop-offs. At one point, the path narrowed to a few feet wide, clinging to a cliff on one side and a sharp drop-off to a rock-strewn valley on the other. Gabe stumbled and caught himself on an outcrop of drab granite. He staggered, but did not fall as dozens of pebbles scrambled down the trail behind him. "Hey, are you all right?" Luke turned and leaned against the adjacent cliff wall. His breath came in short pants and sweat slicked across his features. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tripped up a bit." "You be careful, you hear? I don't want to have to drag your bloody corpse back down this mountain." "You could leave me up here. I'd just be another mystery body on Mystery Mountain." He let a spooky quiver tremble in his voice. "Don't be snarky. I mean it." Luke wiped at his face and then slipped off his backpack. "It's getting fucking cold up here. I'm going to put on some sweats. You should too." "You're right, it is chilly." Gabe dug into his pack. "I thought we'd just need these at night." "Yeah, well this time of year almost anything can happen with the weather. I checked before we left though, and there wasn't supposed to be a front passing through for another couple of days." 25

The Ascension "Well, it seems to have arrived early." He peered at his partner. "Luke, you don't look good. You're all pale and sweaty. Are you sure we shouldn't head back?" "Fuck, you're always such a fucking weenie! Lay off me, will you?" He turned his back and hefted his pack onto his shoulders. The two trudged on. Within an hour, a fine mist of rain filled the air, whipped by the now relentless winds. Gabe longed to stop; the pills and the crystals in his pack called to him, but he couldn't reach them. He wanted to turn back, but Luke's rebuke still stung. I'll show him. I can do anything he can do. I'm not a sissy. Another hour passed. The mist changed to cold drizzle, then to rain mixed with sleet. The trail widened to a rocky outcrop, marked only by painted cobblestones every fifty feet so hikers wouldn't lose their way. Gabe's legs burned, and his knee ached from his fall yesterday, but he slogged on, determined not to be a drag on his lover. He glared ahead, panting, struggling against the wind that tore into him. Luke strode on, one determined step after another, never looking back, always looking ahead to the summit. Before Gabe knew what happened, Luke's feet flew from under him, and he landed on his back with a shriek. He rolled over three times and lay face down twenty feet away, holding his stomach and screaming in agony. "Luke! What's 26

Max Griffin wrong!" Gabe tore up to him and knelt by his side. He reached out and touched his cheek. "You're burning up! You've got a fever!" Luke clenched his teeth and muffled an agonized screech. He panted and gasped, "Oh God, I've fucked up. I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me?" His face contorted again with pain and he moaned. "What is it? Did you hurt yourself when you fell?" "No. My stomach's been hurting all morning. The fall made it worse, is all. I slipped, I think on some ice. It's freezing and it's going to snow soon." "Can you walk? We should head back to the cabin." "I think I'm too sick to walk. My stomach has hurt like a fury all morning. I thought it was just a cramp and I could walk it out, but it's just gotten worse and worse. Anyway, it's too late in the day to go back. We'd never make it." "So what do we do?" A dusting of panic bolted through him. Luke groaned and sat up, a grimace torturing his features. "We need to find a place to pitch the tent. Maybe we can last the storm out and hike down tomorrow after it passes." His gaze cast about. "Over there." He pointed toward an outcrop of rock with a gentle, sandy slope on the leeward side. "Pitch our tent there, on the downwind side of that rock. It'll provide some shelter." He grabbed at his right side 27

The Ascension and groaned again. "I can't help. I'm sorry. Can you do it by yourself?" "Yes. I can do whatever you need." Gabe helped him off with his backpack and dragged it over to the little shelter provided by the rock. Already, tiny grains of snow bit into his cheeks and his knuckles were raw from the cold. How could the weather change so fast? He pulled the nylon canvas for the tent from Luke's backpack and the aluminum frame from his own. The wind whipped the light fabric, and he almost lost it before he secured it to the frame. After the tent was up and secure, he pulled out both sleeping bags and spread them inside before returning to Luke. "Luke, honey, the tent's up. Can you walk over there?" "I think so." He panted and gasped. With Gabe doing most of the work, he struggled to his feet and the two stumbled across the rocky surface to the tent. The winds whipped the snow about, and there were already drifts forming on the windward side of the rocky shelter. "Here, get inside. The sleeping bags are all laid out and ready." With an enormous groan and a shudder, Luke collapsed into the shelter and pulled his covers about himself. Tremors shook his body and sweat poured from his skin. 28

Max Griffin Frantic, Gabe dug into their first aid kit. "Ibuprofen. Fucking ibuprofen is all we've got." His fingers atremble, he unscrewed his canteen and shook two orange pills into his palm. "Luke. Honey, sit up. You've got to take some pills. They'll help your fever." He slipped an arm under his lover's shoulder and hefted him upright. "There you go, that's good. Here, drink some more water. Don't dehydrate." Fuck, I don't have any idea what I should be giving him or not giving him. Gabe returned outdoors and dug into his pack. His fingers shaking, he inhaled another snort of the white crystals. A shudder shook his body with the rush. He heaved two deep breaths before he crawled back into the shelter and fell into his sleeping bag. Energy buzzed through is brain and sleep forsook him. The little tent sheltered them from the wind, but the temperature outside plummeted. Gabe huddled next to his lover, his eyes never leaving the rise and fall of his chest. When a vicious gust of wind shook the tent, he peered outside through the door flap. "Fuck me, there's snow everywhere!" It was still daylight, but it was dark as night outside. Deep drifts of snow covered the stony surface where Luke had fallen. Gabe shook himself and stepped outside. In an instant, his cheeks and ears burned from the blast of the frigid winds. Frantic, he dug through his backpack until he found his flashlight and their little camp stove. Returning to 29

The Ascension the tent, he twisted the knob on the butane and lit the fire before he crawled into the sleeping bag next to Luke. He cuddled close to his lover, who whimpered in his sleep. The hours passed with the winds whipping at the tent and Luke in a restless stupor. Gabe lay next to him and worried while day turned to night and darkness clouded his soul. Not knowing what else to do, he ventured outside and dug into his backpack to retrieve the pan he'd used to boil water that morning. He packed it with snow and ice and returned to the tent. Luke sucked on the ice without waking. Gabe tied his handkerchief around the snow and packed it against Luke's abdomen; he seemed to rest better after that. Gabe crawled back into his sleeping bag and, at last, fell into a fitful sleep. Hours later, he jerked awake. The wind howled a mournful song as it danced through the mountains. The stove had gone out, and a chill filled the tent. Luke still slept, but his fever seemed to have abated some. He stirred and a faint groan slipped from his lips. His breathing was coarse and heavy. What to do? Gabe peered outside the tent into a pitch black night. He turned on his flashlight and saw that snow still whipped in the winds, and drifts surrounded their tent. He picked up his pan and headed outside. Maybe some more ice will make him feel better. Without conscious thought, his fingers

30

Max Griffin found his packet of capsules. He swallowed one without water and slipped the rest back into their hiding place. He stumbled into the wind and snow. "Shit, it's cold out here!" His fingers burned from the frigid air, and his light cast ghostly shadows among the drifts. He found a patch of ice, but it wasn't enough. "Snow will melt too quickly, need ice. Got to help Luke." He stood and looked uphill. "Maybe there's more ice back on the trail, where he slipped." He stumbled off into the storm. He couldn't have gone more than a dozen steps when his feet sank into a deep snowdrift and caught in a hidden hole. The same ankle that he had twisted yesterday, still weak, failed him again and he spilled forward. His hands spread out to break his fall and his flashlight clanked into the night. Breaking glass tinkled against rock and the light snuffed out. His head slammed against the hard rock surface and blackness closed in. He woke an uncertain time later, sprawled in the snow, alone, helpless. The howling winds drove needles of snow into his face and whipped at his clothing "Fuck me!" He moaned and sat up, shaking stars out of his vision. "Fuck, fuck, fuck." He crawled about on his hands and knees, feeling for the flashlight. His head throbbed, and, with each breath, the cold drove daggers deep into his chest. "Where'd the fucking flashlight go?" His fingers, stiff and swollen, probed 31

The Ascension the drifts and at last found the dark cylinder. Groping at it, the fragments of the broken crystal and bulb pricked at his frigid fingers. He flipped the switch, but it remained dark. "Well, now I'm totally fucked." He stood and weaved a few steps along the trail before he came to an abrupt halt. "Okay, which way is the tent?" He formed a megaphone with his hands and shouted, "Luke! Luke, honey! Can you hear me?" No answer. The wind gusted again, slaking his wet hair across his face. He clutched at his body and shivered. He turned in a complete circle, looking for his footprints in the snow. Nothing. The wind shaped the fine powder into everchanging drifts, erasing all evidence he had ever walked this way or that. "Okay. I only walked a dozen or so steps. So, take fifteen steps in one direction. If I don't see anything, then I can come back and try another direction. I can't be lost." It took less than a quarter hour to realize he was, in fact, lost. "Hello! Luke! Wake up, honey! Call out if you can hear me!" No answer; it was as though the wind blew his words to Neverland. The cold numbed his fingers and rasped at his throat. The snow soaked his clothes, and his body trembled in fear and panic. "Luke! Hello!" "Hallo there!" Gabe started, his limbs prickling with adrenaline rush at the unfamiliar voice. 32

Max Griffin A light bobbed through the murk. "Hallo! I heard you calling. Where are you?" "Here! Here I am!" He could scarcely believe his ears. Whoever owned the strange voice at least had a light and could guide him to the shelter. "Here I am!" "Well, what have we here?" The stranger's voice was a pleasant baritone that cut through the keening wind. He held a bright electric lantern in his gloved left hand and was dressed all in black. His long, straight hair was pulled back in an ebony ponytail that the wind lashed across his face. The lantern cast a bizarre reflection off the storm and the rocks, giving the stranger's eyes a ruddy gleam. Gabe stammered. "We were camping. My friend and I. And he's really sick. I think he's got appendicitis. And I'm lost. I can't find our tent. It's nearby here somewhere." He knew he was incoherent, the words reeling from his mouth. "Your friend is ill? Well, we must do something about that!" The stranger's graceful smile reflected in the golden light from his lantern. He put his arm on Gabe's shoulder. "Come, let us find him." His accent was unusual, lilting. With the bright light to help, it took only minutes to find the shelter. Gabe rushed inside and found Luke still unconscious. The stranger crawled part way inside with him and felt Luke's forehead with his left hand. "Yes, he is very ill. You will carry the light." The stranger thrust the lantern into 33

The Ascension Gabe's hands and pulled Luke from the tent. He picked him up like a small child and started up the trail. "Wait. What are you doing? Where are you going?" Worry and confusion boiled inside Gabe. This was happening too fast! "Follow." The stranger strode into the night without looking back, carrying Luke like a babe in his arms. Gabe stood in horrible indecision for an instant, and then limped after. The stranger led him up the slope several hundred feet, before making an abrupt turn to the right. The trail narrowed. On their left, a black chasm gaped, and on their right, a ragged cliff towered over their heads. Gabe fought for his balance in the wind while worries about Luke clawed at his concentration. The pace slowed and the stranger turned right and seemed to disappear into the cliff. Gabe lunged ahead and, in the light from the lantern, saw that a narrow tunnel opened onto the path. The stranger was already fifty feet along the passage, which sloped downward at a sharp angle. The depths of the passageway drowned the light in his hands. He hastened, as best he was able, after the figure retreating into the depths of the mountain. As they descended, warm air wafted across his face. He gagged, catching a faint, sickly-sweet aroma reminiscent of rotting fruit. Deeper inside the mountain, the foul stench 34

Max Griffin dissipated. At first he thought the warmth was an illusion from being out of the wind and snow, but then a hot burst of air blasted from above. As it heated, the passageway seemed to level out some. We must be at least five hundred feet under the surface. What is this place? Gabe hurried on down the tunnel. Ahead, a bright light silhouetted the stranger's form, and then he turned and vanished. Gabe gasped and stumbled forward, finding a well-lit side tunnel. The stranger waited there for him, Luke still cradled in his arms. "I must attend to your friend. If you will go on," he nodded down a passage to his right, "you will find a small apartment where you may rest. I am sure you have had a difficult night." "But Luke..." "Yes, yes. I will attend to our friend Luke. I have the medical training. He will be quite secure and safe, I promise you all of that. You would just be in the way." His thick accent conspired with his rich, baritone voice to make his words ooze from his lips like fingers through warm butter. "But..." "He will need you healthy and well and rested tomorrow when he wakes. Please." The stranger nodded again in the direction of the promised apartment. "No! I'm staying with him." 35

The Ascension Grey eyes and a solemn visage regarded him. "As you wish. Follow." He strode off again. Gabe staggered after, gazing in wonder at this place buried in the mountain. Ivory illumination emanated from the smooth walls and the arched ceilings, flashing on as they approached and fading back to darkness after they passed. Ahead and behind the dim corridor could have stretched to infinity. The floors were a glassy black substance, but provided a sure grip for his hiking boots. The place was featureless except for closed doors that appeared every fifty feet or so. The doors lacked any visible hardware, but there was a flat, waist-high plate embedded in the wall adjacent to each. "What is this place?" "This is...my home, my refuge. And for now, it is your refuge too, no?" He stopped and brushed a finger against one of the plates. With a brief, low-frequency thrum, the door slid aside and revealed a spacious room. The stranger strode inside and the same ivory light welled up from the walls and ceiling. A bed with crisp white sheets sat in the middle of the room and counters and cabinets filled with curious vials and instruments lined one wall. With the gentleness of a mother caring for her newborn babe, the stranger placed Luke on the bed. He turned to the counters and pulled a syringe from one of the drawers and a vial from the cabinet. He filled the syringe, tapped it, 36

Max Griffin and injected his patient in the leg. "There. The antibiotic will help his infection. Tomorrow, we shall see how he is." His fingers, lingered on Luke's forehead, long and spider-like in their black gloves. "What did you give him? Is he going to be all right?" "An antibiotic. You will not have heard of it. We will watch him tonight. If his fever subsides, perhaps we won't have to operate." "Operate!" "But of course. If it is appendicitis, we will need to remove it. But it could be many other things. We shall see." His gaze left Luke's face and turned to Gabe. "But you, my friend, how are you?" He strode to him, peered into his eyes, fingered the knob on his head from where he'd fallen, and felt his fingers and ears. "That's quite a bump on your head, but there's no indication you have a concussion. You do have a touch of frostbite, perhaps, and exhaustion. But nothing serious, I think. Come, there is an apartment next door where you may rest while our Luke recovers." He pulled on Gabe's hands. "I can give you a sleeping potion, to help you regain your strength." "Next door? I want to stay with Luke." "Yes, of course. I will leave the doors in the hallway open, so you can see him. Do not fear. I will watch over your friend. He will be quite safe with me." He pulled a bottle 37

The Ascension from one of the cabinets and mixed a drink. "Here, take this. It will help." "What is it?" Gabe accepted the glass and stared at the clear liquid. "A sleeping potion, and an elixir. By morning you will be rested and able to see Luke." He strode across the hall and pressed against the pad, opening a door to another bedchamber. "You see? The doors are open." He returned, glanced at the glass in Gabe's hand, and raised an eyebrow. Yeah, I can take a hint. "Okay, then." He swilled the drink down in one swallow. "It tastes citrusy." He handed the glass back and gazed into the other's eyes. A pang of guilt rushed through him at the concern he found in the stranger's face. "I'm sorry if I've been rude. I need to thank you. You saved our lives." I shouldn't be so suspicious. He's not been anything but helpful. "My pleasure, I assure you." There was that accent again. I've never heard one quite like that before. It's almost a mix of Eastern European and something else...I'm not quite sure what.... "Well, my name is Gabe Harker. You already know Luke." He stuck out his hand. The other returned his grasp. "I am so glad to make your acquaintance, Gabriel. My proper name is Aristotle Mann. My friends call me Ari. I hope you will be my friend."

38

Max Griffin "You've already been a friend, to both of us, Ari." Fatigue from his ordeal at last took its toll, and his head fogged. His legs turned to rubber and he leaned into the wall. "I think I need to hit the sack." His words came out slurred and his voice tremulous. Ari helped him stagger across the hall and into bed. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

39

The Ascension

- Day Three -

Gabe rolled over and inhaled the homey aromas of coffee and bacon. He stretched, sat up and yawned. A diffused glow from the walls filled the room, swelling from a warm, golden hue to a bright ivory. A steaming pot of coffee and covered trays sat on a table next to his bed. He tossed the covers aside and realized with sudden shock that he was naked. The events of the previous night flashed back to him. Where's Luke? He leaped from the bed and ran across the room to the door. I thought he was going to leave it open for me. His fingers ran over the featureless surface, but there was no obvious way to open it. "Hey! Open up!" The walls devoured his shout and muffled his voice. He scanned the door and found a plate like the one Ari had used to open doors last night. He ran his thumb over it, then his index finger, but nothing happened. "Shit." His hands thudded against the door once more. "Hey! Where are you? Open up!" No response. In fact, there was no 40

Max Griffin sound at all, as though he were in an anechoic chamber. Wait! What's that? He pressed his ear to the wall and heard it: a low frequency hum that oscillated on a slow cycle. Soft, loud, soft, silence; soft, loud, soft, silence; it repeated over and over again in a three or four second rotation. It was as though enormous machines lumbered away in some distant cavern, with the echo of their massive thrums reverberating through the granite of the mountaintop. He stepped back, his hands trembling in anger. Well, this isn't getting anyplace. Why would he lock me up like this? He turned and gazed about the room. Maybe there's a phone or something I can use to call someone. But there was just his bed, and the little table with two chairs and his breakfast steaming away. Someone had draped a white singlet over one of the chairs; otherwise, the room was empty, devoid of decoration or color. The walls glowed ivory white and the floor was the same black, glassy surface he remembered from the night before. This morning, gentle warmth radiated from the floor and into the soles of his bare feet. He strode to the table and saw an envelope resting on one of the plates. In a spidery, Spenserian script someone had written, "My friend, Gabriel." He pushed a chair aside, sat, and ripped it open. Inside, in the same handwriting, he found a note.

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The Ascension My Dearest Gabriel, I hope that the morning finds you refreshed and well. I am pleased to report that our friend Luke is doing fine, but we had to move him in the night to a room with more robust medical facilities. He is resting comfortably and, while he is in no danger, he remains quite ill. I know that you will want to see him, and I will take you to his room for a visit at my earliest opportunity. I have taken the liberty of removing your clothes from last night, which I fear were somewhat the worse for wear. I will have them cleaned and returned to you later today. In the meantime, please accept the singlet we have left for you. You will find that our facility is climate-controlled and that it is not necessary to encumber yourself with needless layers of clothing. I apologize for locking your door, but since circumstances forced us to move Luke, it seemed a prudent course of action. I did not wish to needlessly alarm you should you awake in the night and find his bed empty. Your room is private, but motion sensors will alert me when you wake and, with your permission, I will join you for breakfast. Ever your friend, Ari A snort escaped Gabe's lips. "Like that makes me feel better about being locked in." He fingered the singlet, slipped into the silken garment and buttoned it. It was a combination of a tank top and shorts in one piece. At least it covers me up. 42

Max Griffin He eyed the coffee and poured some into one of the ornate china cups. Stirring in cream and sugar, he turned one of the plates over. On the back he found two crossed swords and the letters KPM in blue script. A low whistle escaped his lips. "Antiques Road Show, here we come. I swear, that's a Meissen mark from the 1720's. What's eighteenth century china doing here?" The door swooshed open, and a low cough caught his attention. "May I join you, my friend?" Ari stood in the doorway, still dressed in all black. This morning, his ebony hair hung in a loose cascade about his head, resting on his shoulders. Gabe placed the plate back on the table with special care. "Please. Thank you. How is Luke?" "He is resting—asleep actually. The antibiotics are doing their work." He sat in a chair and raised his eyebrows. "May I share your coffee?" "What? Oh, sure, go ahead. So, what's wrong with him? Is it appendicitis?" "No, his symptoms tells us it is not." He lifted the covers off the plates and revealed scrambled eggs, bacon, rolls, and fresh fruit. "Do try some of the breakfast. We flew in the mangoes fresh just two nights ago." He spooned generous helpings onto Gabe's plate. "So, if it's not appendicitis, then what is it?" 43

The Ascension "I'm sorry, we are still running tests." He pursed his lips and turned solemn. "You could help us by telling us a bit about our friend." "Sure. Of course. What do you need to know?" "Do eat, won't you? I would hate for both of my new friends to become patients." He waited. Gabe sighed, eyed his plate, and took a forkful of scrambled eggs. A smile creased Ari's narrow features. "That's better." He tossed black hair from his eyes. "Now, as to Luke. One of things that might be wrong is pancreatitis. But it's usually either associated with heredity..." He paused and raised his eyebrows in inquiry. "Luke's parents are both healthy as horses, at least as far as I know. We had dinner with them last Sunday." "Ah, excellent. Well, then the other probable cause would be abuse of alcohol or other...substances." "We had some wine last week at dinner. I couldn't tell you the time before that that we had alcohol." "So, Luke has no dinners alone or unexplained absences?" "No, of course not." "And I'm sorry, but I really must ask about drug use." Gabe scowled, thinking of his secret stash. "Really, I know you're trying to help, but he doesn't do drugs. I mean, 44

Max Griffin not any more, anyway. When we were younger, we both used poppers and smoked the occasional joint. But we don't do that anymore." "I don't mean to offend, truly I do not. I am just asking to assist in our diagnosis." He sipped some coffee. "Perhaps when he wakes I can interview him more fully. The toxicology will be available soon, too." Gabe sighed, remembering how Luke looked last night. "When can I see him?" "As soon as we finish here. Perhaps you will finish your breakfast first, and we can chat some. I would like to get to know you better." A smile fleeted across his features, but Gabe thought his eyes remained cold. "You know, in some cultures, when you save a person's life you are forever responsible for them." This reminder of his debt caused guilt to flash through Gabe. "I'm sorry. I'm just so concerned about him." He played with the food on his plate before taking a bite of mango. "Wow, this is really good. Fresh, you said?" "Yes, indeed. I saw you admiring our china when I came in. Are you a collector?" "I wish. This stuff must be worth a fortune. I work for an antique gallery in Portland and we have some Meissen china, but none this old."

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The Ascension "This has been in my family for many years. My grandmother gifted it to me, along with the silverware." "Is it from the same era?" "Oh yes. Großmutter was a stickler for authenticity." Ari poured himself another cup of coffee. "Would you care for more, my friend?" "Um, sure, thanks." He wiped his mouth. "This is a wonderful breakfast. I guess I didn't realize how hungry I was. Thank you." "To be sure." He spoke while freshening his own cup, without looking up. "Yesterday must have been a struggle for you. You were very brave." I don't feel brave. "Thanks for the coffee. All we had yesterday was instant." "This is freshly ground Jamaican Blue Mountain. I trust you will find it satisfactory." "It's fantastic. Really!" He glanced around the room. "Do you mind if I ask, what is this place? It seems huge." "It's an old military base. My...company...bought it from the government at the end of the Cold War. Most of it was a ruin, full of vermin and filthy. We refurbished it." "A military base? Why is it underneath the mountain?"

46

Max Griffin "I couldn't say. I wasn't on...North America...when the base was built. But didn't they build other bases underground? For missiles, I believe?" "Yeah, there's that place in Colorado, I guess. Anyway, this sure looks stupendous now. What's your company use it for?" Eyes like grey smoke peered at him. "It's a...staging area, so to speak. I'm sorry, I must not say too much. We are planning an expansion back into this area and wouldn't want to tip our hand to our competitors. I fear I cannot even reveal the identity of our company." "Ah, I get it. Luke had to sign non-disclosure agreements when he visited Apple Computer a few years back. They showed him early versions of the iPhone, but he wouldn't tell me anything about it." "Yes, this is something very like that." He lounged back and crossed his legs, keeping them close together, European style. "So our Luke works with technology?" "Yeah. He's going to love this place." His chest tightened, remembering. "At least, he'll love it when he wakes up. Maybe I can see him now?" "Yes, of course. You will follow." Ari stood and strode to the hallway without looking back. Startled, Gabe slurped the last of his coffee and rushed after him. Ari was already over twenty feet ahead of 47

The Ascension him and striding at a brisk pace, his long hair flowing in his wake. Gabe broke into a trot to catch up and winced as his ankle and knee ached in response. A little bubble of illumination enclosed them within the corridor as the ivory lights welled up and then faded. Gabe was about to call out for Ari to wait, when he turned and disappeared down a side corridor. When Gabe limped to the intersection, he found Ari waiting, a grim expression on his face. "I'm so sorry, my friend. I thought you were eager to see our Luke." "I am! You know, 'the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak?' My ankle is still sore from twisting it yesterday, I guess." He tried to control his panting, his hands on his hips. "Indeed." He arched an eyebrow and sniffed. "Well, we haven't much farther to go. Can you walk, or will you need assistance?" "I can walk fine. Just don't go so fast, okay?" "Then follow. I shall endeavor to keep a slower pace in view of your infirmity." He pivoted on a heel and strode off, again without looking back. Gabe managed to catch up this time, and limped along beside him. "You mentioned toxicology tests. Maybe we should just take him to a hospital in town?" "The storm continues unabated, I fear, which would make transport perilous. Also, the nearest public facility is 48

Max Griffin hours away. It is for that reason, among others, that we have excellent medical facilities here. We will provide the best of care for our Luke." I wish he'd stop with the 'our Luke' bit. He doesn't belong to anyone! "Well, can I at least talk to his doctor?" Ari stopped and faced him. "I am the attending physician. Have you found my care unsatisfactory in any way, my friend?" His voice chilled the corridor. "No! No, you've been great. I'm sorry, I didn't know. Thank you for all of your help." "Good deeds are a blessing, both for the one receiving and one the giving." He gestured at another intersection. "We will turn here and take the ramp down to the level below. The infirmary is there." They entered a side corridor that spiraled to the left and sloped downward. "I'm getting a little spooked by the lighting going on and off like this." "It's nothing mysterious; there are heat sensors in the ceiling. Surely you have seen similar devices before?" "Sure. They use them where Luke works, in the offices." He ran his hands along the wall. "Why have ramps instead of stairs?" "I cannot say, since others designed this base. But we find the ramps convenient for relocating equipment." They reached the lower level, and Ari paused and opened the door 49

The Ascension on the opposite side of the corridor from where they stood. Comfortable sofas and lounge chairs filled the room inside, and bookshelves lined one wall. "There is a lounge on this floor, left over from the old days. This was one of the areas the previous owners kept up and required minimal renovation when we took over. You may want to rest here after your visit, since it is close to our Luke's room." "I just want to see him for now." "Of course. It is not much farther now. Follow." Two hundred feet and one cross-corridor later, he stopped and opened a door. On the other side, Luke lay on a bed, pallid and unconscious. A crisp white sheet covered his body from his chest down, and someone had shaved little patches of hair in order to apply sensors. An IV dripped fluids into a vein and wires ran from his torso to machines crowding behind his bed. Ragged lines chased across a screen and one of the machines beeped with each heartbeat. Ari tapped a keyboard and scrolled through several screens, shaking his head and making tsking sounds. "He is much the same as when I last was here. The painkillers will make him sleep, so I fear there isn't much for you to see or do." Tears misted Gabe's eyes now that he at last stood by his lover's bedside. His hands trembled as he ran his fingers through those familiar, chestnut-colored locks. "He looks so pale." 50

Max Griffin "Whatever it is that afflicts him, it has taken a toll. But he is strong and fighting it." "It feels like his fever is gone." "Yes. And his white blood cell count is no longer elevated. We think that the fever may have been from something else, unrelated to the abdominal pain. Later today we will do another ultrasound and know more." "May I sit with him for a while?" "Of course." A chime sounded and an automated, feminine voice filled the room. "Voievode Mann. You are needed at platform fifty-one." "I'm so sorry. A shipment has arrived and I must supervise." He pulled a small medallion attached to a slim chain from his pocket. "Please, my friend Gabe, take this device." He slipped it over Gabe's head like a necklace. "If you press here," he pointed to an opal cut into a triangular shape and set into the silver face of the medallion, "it will call me and I shall answer. There's a small microphone and speaker embedded inside, so you need only speak and we can converse." Gabe fingered it. "Thank you. Will he wake up soon?" Ari looked at his patient and stroked his arm with the intimacy of a lover's touch. Luke stirred and groaned. "He had a difficult night and rest will help him heal. He may wake, but most likely not." He gestured to a straight chair at the foot of the bed. "You may sit here. If you tire or become 51

The Ascension bored, call me and I will send someone to lead you back to the lounge." "Okay. Thank you." "I must apologize, but other duties call, and I must go for now. Farewell, my friend." He turned and in an instant, Gabe was alone with Luke. He pulled the chair to the side of the bed and held Luke's hand. He gazed upon his face, and told him he loved him and that he was getting better. I remember reading that people can hear you, even when they are in a coma. Maybe he can hear me. Luke slept, stirring now and again, his eyes roiling under his closed lids as he dreamed, but he never woke. The machines listened and watched, marking the passage of time with oscilloscope squiggles and beeping monitors. Uncertain hours had passed by the time a gentle hand tapped at the door. Gabe started from a half-sleep and turned his head to see a tall, slender, young man standing in the doorway. He wore the same black attire as Ari, but his Titianred hair was cropped short. "My name is Dacre. Voievode Mann asked that I check on you." "I'm fine." He turned back to Luke and stroked his lover's brow. "He's still sleeping." Dacre strode inside and checked the IV. "I'll need to change this soon, and we should turn him and refresh his bedding as well." He faced Gabe and tipped his head to one 52

Max Griffin side. "I see you have a medallion so you can summon one of us, and so we can reach you. You would probably be more comfortable in the lounge. There are sofas, and I could bring you some lunch." Gabe shifted on his chair and stretched taut muscles. "Do you think he'll wake soon? I want to be here when he wakes up." "The medications in the IV are powerful. He needs his rest, for now. I promise we will call you if he wakes. Really, you can do him more good when he does awaken by resting now." "I am stiff. And, now that you mention it, some food does sound good. You promise you'll call me when he wakes up?" "You have my word. You will follow me, then, to the lounge?" He gestured to the door and raised his eyebrows. "I guess, sure." "Excellent." He whispered into a jeweled pin attached to his lapel. "I've ordered a light lunch for you." He led the way back down the corridors toward the lounge area. Gabe had no trouble keeping up with him, unlike when Ari led the way. "What did you call Ari? Voy-something?"

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The Ascension "Voievode. It is a traditional title from the old country. Our company still uses it. It's a sign of respect and leadership." "Interesting. Where is the old country?" Dacre chuckled. "I think you know I cannot discuss that, my friend. Ari would be most displeased." "He's your boss?" "In a way, and my mentor as well. We are quite close. Not quite the same as you and Luke, perhaps, but similar." A wan smile glimmered on his features and vanished like the wind. "The two of you care for each other so deeply," he murmured. Gabe hesitated, remembering a difficult boss who had hit on him. Best not go there. "So your company hires openly gay people even though it's traditional? I wish all companies were as liberal." That earned him an impish grin. "Amusing you would describe our company as ‘liberal’. Still, the branch the Voievode heads is mostly gay. But the other outposts are mostly not. Much depends on the character of the leader. Here we are." He paused outside a door. "We've reset this room to your biometrics. If you place any of your fingertips here on the pad it will open for you." He brushed his index finger on the plate, and sure enough the door swooshed open. "Kewel. I see someone de54

Max Griffin livered the lunch already." A silver tray with covered plates rested on one of the tables inside. "Yes, our staff is quite efficient." A cheery smile flashed across his features. For the barest instant, Gabe thought a ruddy glow eddied within his eyes, but then it passed. "We've readied an apartment for you as well, just three doors down. If you'll follow me." He led the way down the hall and pointed to another door. "This one is keyed to your biometrics as well." Gabe swiped his thumb this time, and the door opened to reveal a comfortable suite, with a sitting room in the front and, visible through double glass doors, an enormous bed. Impressionist prints adorned the walls and a starburst of orange lilies, germinis, and tulips graced a crystal vase on the coffee table. "It's beautiful!" "We keep these ready for visiting dignitaries. There's a small kitchen alcove too. If you need anything, use your medallion and we will deliver it." "Thank you. You're all so generous." The medallion hanging about Dacre's neck flashed and a vacant look filled his eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry. I'm being summoned. Can you find your way back to the lounge?" "Yes, of course. You've been very helpful. Call me if Luke wakes, okay?" 55

The Ascension "Certainly." His lips turned down and his eyes glinted. "I assure you the Voievode is paying...special...attention to Luke." A scowl darkened his expression for just a moment before his face hardened to military stolidity. "But it is not my place to judge my commander's...enthusiasms. If you don't mind, I'll take my leave." He gave a stiff bow and strode away. Wow. That was weird, like he's mad that Ari's helping Luke. First he looks like Glen Close in Fatal Attraction, and then like Sergeant Schultz in Hogan's Hero's. If he'd boiled a rabbit, clicked his heels, and said 'I know nothink,' it would have fit right in. He shrugged. His stomach growled, and he walked back to the lounge where lunch waited. Afterwards, he browsed through the bookshelves, looking for something to read. All of the titles seemed to date from the 1950's and early 1960's, some of them quite dogeared. Well, Ari did say this was a lounge left over from the old military base. He settled on a classic science fiction novel, The Puppet Masters, that he hadn't read since he was in junior high. He made his way back to his new apartment and settled in, waiting for news. But neither Ari nor Dacre called, and no one seemed to be in this part of the facility. At one point he tried to find his way back to Luke's room but he couldn't locate the side corridor leading to it. Fearing that he might lose himself in 56

Max Griffin the multi-level maze of corridors, he returned to his rooms and the novel. Despite having read it before, Heinlein's Cold War tale of alien invasion and secret agents pulled his mind away from his recent worries and tensions. Almost despite himself, he fell asleep, haunted by dreams of death and alien destruction.

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The Ascension

- Day Four -

Sheets twisted about Gabe's body while his mind wrestled with the monsters who reside on the borderland between sleep and wakefulness. In his dream, a shapeless entity chased him down a featureless corridor, but his legs moved as if in quicksand. He whimpered, and his limbs fought with sweat-soaked bedding. As sudden as the beat of bat's wings, his dream flashed to an immaculate, white room in which he lay prone, bound and helpless. Luke, naked and aroused, hovered over him, a ruddy glow congealed in his eyes. Luke's dream avatar entered him and lust inundated his body, even as his lover's features morphed to demonic shape, with eyes slanting and his ears growing to hairy points. Helpless eroticism flooded through Gabe's somnolent form. He moaned as his body careened to orgasm and his fluids jetted forth. He gasped, his own cries having startled him awake, and he lurched to a sitting position. The lights welled up and his frantic eyes roved over the strange room. Memories, confused with the images from 58

Max Griffin the nightmare, stuttered back to his awareness. Panting, he unwound himself from the tangle of sheets and wiped at the detritus of his dream. Fuck me. That'll teach me to read a horror novel before going to sleep. He sat on the edge of the bed and caught his breath and his bearings. Beyond the double glass doors he saw the little sitting room. Someone had left both his and Luke's backpacks on the floor; his boots stood nearby. His hiking clothes lay folded on the sofa, all clean and pressed. When did they do that? They could have at least knocked. He stood, stretched, and shook off the last ghosts of his nightmare. He padded into the adjoining bath, where he found fluffy towels and elegant toiletries at the ready. He brushed his teeth while the shower filled the little room with steam. Morning ablutions finished, he wandered, still naked, into the sitting room while toweling his hair, in search of clean clothes. "Good morning, my young friend." A momentary thrill rushed through him before he recognized Ari's deep accents. Dressed all in black as usual, he sat, as if at attention, at the little dining table, sipping from an elegant china cup. The aromas of coffee and sausage mixed with scent of the fresh lilies on the table and the residue of soap and toothpaste from the bath. "Uh, good morn59

The Ascension ing." He snatched the towel about his waist, heat rushing from his face down his torso. "Sorry, I didn't realize anyone was here." "Quite all right. I'm a physician, after all, and am not disturbed by the sight of the human form. Perhaps I should examine you to be sure your injuries have healed?" A sly grin played across his features. Gabe suppressed a shudder. "Uh, thanks, but I'm feeling fine." He poked at his hiking clothes, picking up his boxers, but then looked at Ari and sat at the table instead. "This breakfast smells wonderful. Thanks again for your hospitality." "Not at all." Ari's body unwound a bit, as he leaned back and switched one leg over another. "Aren't you going to ask about our Luke?" "Yes! How is he?" "I'm pleased to report he's awake and much better this morning." His lips jettisoned a little chuckle. "It would seem our Luke fooled us. He was sick and in pain, to be sure, only it was gall stones, not the more serious things we feared. Painful, but a touch of ultrasound and they seem to be quite all gone." "Gall stones? I thought it was, what did you call it, pancree-something?"

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Max Griffin "Pancreatitis. Yes, that is one of the differentials for appendicitis, as is cholecystitis. We saw at once it was the latter when we did the sonogram." "So, then, how is he? Can I see him? When can we go home?" "Slow down, my impetuous young friend." Ari held up hands, long and delicate like those on a praying mantis, and his smile stirred echoes in Gabe's mind of the demon from his dream. "I understand he is awake now and eating breakfast. The two of you can spend the day together, but I'd like to observe him one more night." His smile turned to a simper. "I hope my hospitality is not so unpleasant that you cannot bear one more night with us?" "No, it's not that. I'm sorry if I seem ungrateful. I've just been so worried about him." He sighed and poured coffee. "I slept like crap last night, too. I guess I've not been myself." "I ordered your sheets changed when I entered. You must be missing our Luke terribly." Shit. If didn't know better, I'd swear he's hitting on me. Does he think I jacked off, or something? "Well, I'm glad he's better." He paused and gazed at Ari's impassive visage. Geeze. Why can't I give this guy a break? I really should be nicer. He sighed and forced his lips to turn up in a smile. "Thanks for your help, really. I mean it, from both of us." 61

The Ascension "'It is as nothing, I assure you. Our friend Luke holds you quite dear, you know. Your name was the first word he spoke when he woke. Your love for each other is touching." A heavy sigh gusted from his mouth. "I lost my own lover. It was long ago that he departed, but I miss him yet." More guilt flooded him at this revelation. "I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to Luke." He tried to keep his voice steady, but a tremor slipped by nonetheless. "I understand perfectly. Well, aren't I the silly old fool?" Ari stood and gestured to the folded garments on the sofa. "We've laundered your hiking attire, but there's also a clean singlet. I'd suggest the latter this morning, for your comfort. I prescribe a sauna, hot tub, and relaxation for both of you today." Gabe strode to the sofa and unfolded the singlet with a toss of his wrists. His face flushed again. "You'll excuse me?" He turned his back, slipped out of the towel and into the garment, quick as a Houdini escaping handcuffs. "Shall we go, then?" Ari leaped to his feet and strode toward the door. "Of course. Follow me, then." Gabe winced when he trotted to keep up, his hobbled gait still favoring his sore ankle. "Wait for a second, will you?"

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Max Griffin Ari stopped and twisted about, his eyes narrowing. "Of course. So sorry. I forgot about your injury." He glanced at the stainless-steel watch on his wrist. "A transport landed last night, and I must coordinate the arrival of new personnel and equipment. I apologize for seeming rushed, my friend." Walking by his side, Gabe glanced at him. "I understand you're busy. So, the storm has let up, then?" "Yes, it abated in the night. The roads and trails are still blocked, but this shipment was by air." "Is there an airport here, too? This place must be huge." "No airport, but there is a heliport. Turn here." He entered a side corridor that spiraled downward. "I don't recall going this way yesterday. Has Luke moved?" "Yes. It was more convenient for him to be on the lower level, for the tests we ran. We are almost there." When they entered the main corridor, the lights flashed. In the distance, two figures, encapsulated in their own bubble of illumination, retreated away from them. The taller was clad all in black, like Ari. The shorter figure seemed less distinct, gray and shadowy. They turned a corner and vanished. "Here we are." Ari ran a careless finger over the plate, and the door swooshed open. 63

The Ascension Luke sat in the bed, and a tray covered with plates of half-eaten food extended across his lap. When the door opened, his eyes locked on Ari and his face lit up. "Ari! It's so good to see you again!" "I'm pleased to see you, too, my friend." He glanced at the tray. "It would seem that your appetite has returned." He stroked Luke's wrist before grasping it and taking his pulse. "Yeah, I'm feeling much better. Thanks to you." Luke placed a gentle hand on Ari's wrist. Gabe cleared his throat. "Hey, it's good to see you feeling better." "Hmmm?" Luke's eyes lingered for a moment longer on Ari's face before he turned to face his lover. "Gabe, how nice to see you, too. How are you?" A pallid smile tweaked his features, and his glance bounced between the two men before locking again on Ari's grey countenance. "Uh, I'm good, thanks. You gave me quite a scare, back on the mountain." Ari patted Luke's hand and smiled. "Your Gabe is a hero, you know. If he hadn't cared for you, there on the mountain, you might have frozen in the storm before I found you." Luke glanced back at Gabe. "I know. You did great, hon. Really." He shook himself, pulled his hand back, and 64

Max Griffin stretched. "So, Ari, you said I could get out of this bed this morning?" "Indeed." He pulled the tray table back stood to one side. "Go ahead. I'll help if you need assistance." Luke threw back the sheets and dropped wary feet to the floor. Steadying himself on the bed, he stood and beamed at Ari. "I'm good! Look at me!" He released his hold and turned in a slow circle in front of them. "That's great, honey! But, aren't there some clothes around here for you?" Gabe frowned and glanced around the room, spotting a singlet like the one he wore resting on a dresser. He snatched it up. "Here you go." Luke chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Thanks. But it's just us, after all." He steadied himself against Ari's shoulder while he slipped into the garment. "You're such a goof. Is that better, Mr. Modesty? Now we match." Gabe gritted his teeth. "Much better." Silence stretched for a moment before Ari's cheery baritone erupted. "So, my two young friends, there's a lounge just down the corridor from here. It has a sauna, a hot tub, and comfortable sofas. Yesterday's shipment included a plasma television, a DVD player and some recent movies. Just what the two of you need to speed you to recovery, no?" Gabe grabbed Luke's hand, and the two followed Ari down the hall to a large room. Inside, the lights welled up, 65

The Ascension revealing a blank TV hanging on one wall, with two black leather lounge chairs arrayed in front of it. Plush, grey carpet covered the floor except in one corner where pearly-white ceramic tile opened to a steamy hot tub. Ari pointed to a cedar door adjacent to the tub. "The sauna is in there. Don't spend more than half an hour at a time, and keep the temperature under seventy-five degrees Celsius. The heat will do you good, but don't overdo it." Luke beamed at him and slipped out of his singlet. "This looks terrific! I'm all for that hot tub!" His feet slapped against the tile as he splashed into the water. "Ahhh, that really hits the spot." Ari simpered. "Well, then. I'll leave you." His eyes ranged over Gabe. "I see you still have your medallion. Dacre showed you how to call?" "Yeah." His fingers toyed with the chain and let it drop back to his chest. "Very good, then. I'm sorry that I cannot tarry with you. Relax and enjoy, gentlemen. One of the staff will bring you lunch and, if fortune permits, I will join you for dinner." He bowed himself out of the room. Gabe strode to the hot tub and glared at his partner, his hands on his hips. "Okay, so what's up with you?"

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Max Griffin "What do you mean? Come on in; it feels great." He swirled the water with his arms and lounged back, eyes closed. "You know what I mean. Strutting around naked in front of strangers, and flirting with Ari." His words came out in short bursts, like bullets from a machine gun. Luke scowled at him through slitted eyes. "He's my doctor, for God's sake! Who cares if he sees me naked? You're just being a goof. Come on in and keep me company. I've been sick and you don't act at all glad to see me." He took a deep breath, then another. "I am glad to see you. I was so worried." He cursed at the tremor in his voice. He slipped out of his garment and edged into the frothy water. "Geeze, this is hot! How could you stand just jumping in like that?" Luke grinned. "It feels great." He closed his eyes and slipped underwater for a moment, and then erupted back to the surface. "It feels good to be here." A finger reached out and tickled Gabe's side. "You feel good, too." "Stop it! You know I'm ticklish!" After a moment, he exploded in a flurry of giggles and splashes. His fingers probed and tickled in return, and he was rewarded with Luke's merry laugh. Luke squirmed away and trapped him against the side of the tub; he pressed into Gabe and kissed him on the lips. Gabe melted against him, his muscles turning 67

The Ascension languid in the hot water. His cock, though, sprang to attention and he rubbed against his lover's hard body. "That's more like it." Luke pulled back and giggled again before pecking him on the nose. "Come on, Goldilocks, this is supposed to be our vacation. This place beats any spa we could afford. Let's take advantage!" Gabe nuzzled into his neck and then pulled back. "Hey, what's this?" He peered at a small swelling on the right side of Luke's neck. "It looks like an insect bite or something. I can even see a little pinpoint where the stinger must have gone in." Luke rubbed his throat. "Hmmm. I'm not sure. Now that you mention it, there's a little bump there, and it itches some." He shrugged. "I'm sure it's nothing." An enormous yawn burst from him, and he pulled back. "I'm still pretty tired, I guess. You mind if I rest a bit?" Gabe retreated to one corner of the tub. He stretched and his toes played with Luke's while the other's eyes sparkled in response. Gabe gestured at the walls. "So, did Ari tell you anything about this place while you were sick?" "He told me we're in some kind of old military base. He said his company bought it a few years back." "Yeah. It was the weirdest thing. He popped up in the middle of that blizzard, out of nowhere, and led me to this

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Max Griffin tunnel into the mountain. This place is enormous! There's at least three levels, and all these incredible spaces." "Yeah," Luke mused. "He never did tell me what his company does, or why they have such a fancy infirmary here. There's even an MRI, did you know that? Those things cost hundreds of thousands of dollars." "He said he couldn't even tell me what his company does, for fear their competitors would find out. Like when you visited Apple." "Well, whatever they do, I'm glad they're here. It looks like he saved my life." "Mine too. Did you know I was lost in the blizzard?" "No! What happened?" "I was looking for ice, for your stomach. It seemed to make you feel better. Anyway, I slipped and fell and couldn't find my way back to the tent. He arrived just in time, otherwise I think I would have frozen to death. He saved my life, too." "So we both owe him big time." "Yeah. Still, there's something about him that's kind of, I don't know, maybe creepy somehow? I can't quite put my finger on it. I'll be glad to get out of here." Luke splashed water in his face. "Don't be such a goof. This is, like, the best resort we've ever been at. Let's just enjoy it, okay?" 69

The Ascension "Sure, whatever you say." Gabe leaned back and let the hot waters massage his muscles. The two spent most of the morning lounging in the tub, with an occasional reprieve in the sauna. After several hours, Gabe toweled himself off while looking at the DVD titles stacked on one of the tables. "Didn't he say these were supposed to be recent?" "So he said." Luke shook himself and joined him, dripping water in his wake. "Hey, dry yourself off. You're going to ruin the carpet." He waved at the table with the movies. "Most of the stuff here is ten years or more old. Oh, wait, here's The Grudge." Luke picked it up. "Yeah, but it's the Japanese original, Ju-On, with subtitles." He poked through some of the others. "Here's Dark Water, but it's the Japanese version, too. It looks like the recent titles are all from Asia, and the US titles are Golden Oldies." He held one up. "Hey, here's Mulholland Drive! Let's watch that!" "Well, okay if you want," Gabe mumbled. "You know, I can never quite figure out what's happening in that movie." "I told you. The first half is all a drugged-out dream. The second half, after they're in the Club Silencio, that 's reality." 70

Max Griffin "I guess. It's just weird." He grinned and snapped a towel at his lover. "Aren't there any movies where cute boys take off their shirts?" Luke danced backward from the towel and flexed his muscles. "What, I'm not good enough for you?" Gabe tipped his head. "Come here, you! You're all the man I'll ever need." He melted into his lover's arms, snuggling into his neck. "Mmm, that feels so good." "Ahem. Excuse me, gentlemen." Gabe jumped away from his partner and snatched his hands over his crotch. He whirled to see a red-haired man in a black uniform standing in the doorway, eyes averted, behind a stainless steel cart. "Uh, hello. Dacre, right?" "Yes. I'm glad to see that the two of you are feeling so...chipper." A cheery smile filled his face, and his eyes twinkled at them for an instant before they focused on his cart. "I have lunch here for you, if you wish." Gabe hopped into his singlet, while tossing Luke his. Shit! It's inside out. Whatever! Covered, he smoothed his hands between his legs, trying to hide his erection. "That sounds great. Can I help?" "I think I can handle it." He rolled the cart into the room adjacent to the round, Mission-style dining table and set out two place settings, followed by serving dishes heaped with seafood and pasta. 71

The Ascension "That smells wonderful." Luke stuck out his hand. "I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Luke." Dacre managed to combine a handshake with a servant's polite bow. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, sir. I met you earlier, when I assisted Ari with your...care. But you were...indisposed, shall we say?" "So it would appear I am in your debt. I thank you." "Dacre helped me out yesterday. He's nice." Gabe surveyed the table. "Hey, there's tons of food here. Why don't you join us?" "That is most kind of you. But, I fear, I cannot. The Voievode would be most displeased with me." He pulled a carafe of coffee and a pitcher of iced tea from inside the cart before placing them on the table. "Will there be anything else, gentlemen? No? I'll take my leave then." He bowed, and was gone. After lunch, Luke loaded the movie into the DVD player. "Come on, I'll explain it as we go." "Spare me the lecture. I'll probably just fall asleep anyway." Despite this, Luke watched in rapt attention, pointing out the hidden meanings in the jitterbug scene in the opening titles and enthusing over Lynch's artistry. Gabe shushed him. "And you think I'm a goof. Let's just watch the movie." 72

Max Griffin "Sure, sure. But you said you didn't understand it." "That doesn't mean I want to understand it. Can't we just relax and enjoy it together?" They fell silent and Gabe drifted in and out of awareness until he finally dropped into a deep sleep, long before Rebekah del Rio sang Roy Orbison's Llorando in the Club Silencio. "Gabriel. Wake up, please, my friend." "Wha?" He stirred and stretched in his chair, looking around. "Where's Luke?" Ari riveted a smile to his features. "He grew tired after the movie and called me, using his medallion. He's back in his room at the infirmary, so we can monitor him one more night." "He left? Just like that?" "You were sleeping so peacefully, he said not to disturb you. But now it is late. Your dinner awaits back in your chambers. I fear that duties call, and I will not be able to join you, but I will guide you there." "Can't I see Luke first?" "You may, but he sleeps. Here, let me show you." He fiddled with the remote control, and Luke's image appeared on the television screen. He was back in his hospital bed, with an IV in his arm and sensors attached to his chest.

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The Ascension "He looks so pale. Why the IV and all the other gear?" "It is nothing, I assure you. The IV will give a final dose of medicine, to secure his cure. And the monitors will alert me should the need arise." He clasped Gabe on the shoulders and peered into his eyes. "I assure you, my friend, all is well. You and he will be together again tomorrow." "I guess." He yawned. "I shouldn't have slept. Now I won't get any rest tonight." "I recall that you complained of poor sleep this morning, my friend. I left a sleeping potion by your bed. It will help you rest." He stepped back and glanced at his watch. "I'm sorry, but I must insist. Follow." He strode away and Gabe trotted two steps behind. After dinner, alone in his apartment, he sat on his bed and looked at the "sleeping potion" resting in a cup next to his book on the nightstand. "I don't need no stinking sleeping pills," he sneered, in his worst, faux-Mexican accent. He picked up his book and flipped the pages to find his place. Ah, yes. It was where the alien parasites took over Sam's mind. He grinned and settled down to read.

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Max Griffin

- Interlude -

Gabe's eyes snapped open, and his heart thudded in his chest. Dark, it was so dark. The low frequency thrum that he'd heard his first day was back. Louder, softer, never ending, beating like a drum: relentless, deep, a murmured plaint that ground into his soul. Sweat trickled from his brow to burn his eyes. He sat up and wiped at his face with a corner of the sheet. The lights swelled to a soft ivory and revealed his now-familiar bedroom. Beyond the glass doors, darkness still shrouded the little sitting room. He staggered to the bath and splashed cold water on his face. A stranger stared back at him from the mirror, eyes bloodshot and wild hair akimbo. The image wavered, as if seen through the haze of a hot summer's day. His ears buzzed in cadence with the subterranean rumble. Two tremulous breaths escaped his chest before his lips firmed. A sickly, sweet scent, like fetid vegetation, wafted from the ventilator over his head.

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The Ascension He scanned the bathroom and spotted his singlet wadded in a soggy mess where he'd left it after his shower. He turned on his heel and stumbled to the sitting area. Once there, he retrieved his boxer shorts from where they rested on the sofa and stepped into them, hopping on one foot. The medallion Ari had given him lay coiled on the table and drew his gaze. A frown darkened his features and his fingers lingered on its opal surface before he slipped it around his neck. He swiped his hand across the pad by the door and strode into the hallway. Restless feet carried him along the corridors, as if fleeing from his nightmare and seeking peace in the shadows of the night. The mountain seemed alive, its pulse the thrum that rippled through the rock, its breath, the warm air that wafted down the corridors. He wandered the vacant hallways in his own private corpuscle of illumination. Sweat beaded on his flesh and trickled down his sinewy form. His hair slaked across his brow and hung in limp strings on his neck. His silent footfalls left moist evidence of his path on the shimmering, ebony floor. Heat boiled inside him, and his vision rippled in uncertain billows, but he kept his course toward Luke's room. Down this hall, turn right, down another level. There. He stopped. In front of him, the lounge where he and Luke had rested yesterday morning, stood open. The walls emitted a ruddy glow, and the hot tub steamed in the corner. 76

Max Griffin He panted and leaned against the doorway. The blank face of the plasma TV stared back, inviting him. He teetered to the easy chair in front of it and collapsed. His wet skin stuck to the leather surface, and he shook with a sudden chill. His head wobbled, and he peered about. There's something important I must do. I see it! The remote. He reached out and gripped the control, which responded with a faint blue glow. He peered at the buttons, but could make no sense of the lettering. It was if it were in another language, unfathomable glyphs from the ancient past or a distant planet. He pointed it at the television and pressed the red button at the top. The screen flashed from darkness to light, revealing an image of a room like the one he'd seen with Ari yesterday. A pearly, white glow filled the chamber and illuminated a naked figure on the bed. Gabe's gaze bore into the screen. Who is it? Not Luke. One of the staff, maybe? And that's not a bed, not quite. The figure centered in the screen rested with his hips in a sling, his arms and legs spread wide and restrained by manacles. A leather strap bound his exposed and engorged genitals. He moaned and twisted against his bonds. The sling swayed in response, like a child's swing. That was when Gabe noticed another figure in the image. Ari, naked and lithe, stood to one side, his raven-colored hair flowing down his back. He strode to the figure in the sling, his hard cock bouncing as he walked. In one hand 77

The Ascension he gripped a plastic baggie with a tube attached. He reached out and dabbed with something at his victim's throat. He jabbed with the tube and placed the baggie on the man's chest. The tube clung in place and filled with brilliant red fluid that flowed into the baggie. Fuck! He's stuck him with a needle and he's draining his blood! Gabe leaned forward, his breath now wheezing from his chest. While the blood flowed and the baggie swelled, Ari stood between the bound man's legs and his fingers danced across his bound cock, like a spider stalking its prey. With a sudden lurch, he entered the man, grasping at his hips and thrusting with brutal force. Ari's muscles rippled, while the plastic tube siphoned claret-colored fluid into the plastic reservoir. Whimpers whispered from the television's speakers as the man's body writhed against his bonds. Short moments later, Ari grunted and withdrew, sated. The baggie bulged with blood. The bound man's eyelids fluttered and his limbs trembled. A grim smile on his face, Ari stepped forward and stroked the man's hair. He leaned over and his lips pressed against the other's cheek. He pulled the needle from his throat, swiping at the point of entry with a cotton swab. The man moaned, but his eyes remained closed. A frisson of fear flashed through Gabe, as another figure appeared in the image. Its graceful gait made it seem to 78

Max Griffin float, but that was not what inspired terror. The figure was short, and unclothed but for a medallion hanging from a chain about its skinny neck. Random, frog-like bumps marred its body, and tinges of greenish-blue highlights shimmered on its skin. Its tubular, narrow torso undulated in slow pulses, as though with labored breath. Long, skinny arms hung to where its knees might have been, if it had knees. But its head, that was the most loathsome thing. It was huge, and heartshaped, with no chin and a tiny v-shaped mouth. Its enormous eyes, limpid, almond-shaped pools of crystalline blue, dominated the face. Barren of emotion and shot through with menace, they scanned back and forth like radar. Black, narrow slits of pupils opened into where the creature's soul might have been, if it had a soul. In one three-fingered hand it held an empty syringe. While Ari stood still and placid, it stuck the needle into his neck and filled the glass tube with his blood. When the needle withdrew, a crimson drop beaded on his throat and glistened. The creature stabbed the syringe into its arm, pushing the human lifeblood into its veins, if it had veins. It sighed and leaned against Ari, whose arms embraced it and whose lips caressed that hideous head with a gentle kiss. Its pupils dilated from slits to round, opaque holes. It lifted its eyes upward and its narrow chest heaved. A low moan passed its lips. "There he is!" 79

The Ascension Gabe's head whirled, spraying droplets of perspiration onto the leather chair. "What? Who's there?" The flickering light from the television flashed on Dacre's face. The medallion that hung about his neck shimmered with an ethereal hue that blinked in the shadows. Two faceless men stood behind him, silhouetted in the doorway. He spoke in gentle tones, "I'm so sorry, my friend. I had hoped to spare you this." A lonely tear ran down his cheek, glistening in the uncertain light. One hand gripped a small tube, which he pointed at Gabe while twisting something on its surface. The scent of burnt sage wafted across his face. Darkness overwhelmed him, and memory and will vanished like smoke in the wind.

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Max Griffin

- Day Five -

Crisp sheets rustled against Gabe's flesh, and a plush mattress comforted his body. His eyes fluttered open, and he gazed about the bedroom, which was suffused in a golden glow. Fresh flowers bloomed on the nightstand, their sweet scent welcoming the morning. Ari lounged in a chair by his side, his eyes filled with concern. "Good morning, my young friend. How do you feel?" A gentle hand reached out and grasped his wrist while his eyes focused on his watch. "You gave us quite a scare last night." His mind fogged at the mention of the previous night, his memories lingering just out of reach on the borderlands of his soul. "I feel okay, I think. Stiff, and a little woozy, maybe?" Ari placed his arm back on the sheets and peered into his eyes. "I fear I owe you an apology. You seem to have had an adverse reaction to the sleeping potion I left for you." "Sleeping potion? But I didn't take it." 81

The Ascension "Ah, but you did, my friend." He pointed with his eyes to the empty pill cup on the nightstand. "It sometimes causes forgetfulness. In your case, it seems to have caused much more." Gabe sat up, stretching the lethargy out of his muscles. He shook his head to clear away cobwebs. "I don't recall anything after I fell asleep last night." "We found you wandering the corridors. A very small number of people react badly to the drug, with sleepwalking and even hallucinations. Mercifully, they often don't remember their experiences." His eyebrows lifted. "Do you have any memories?" "Nothing. I'm a little groggy, but other than that I feel fine." "Well, then. I'm so sorry that this all happened. The sensors alerted us that you had left your room. We searched all over for you. You could have harmed yourself had you wandered into the wrong parts of this installation. But Dacre found you, gave you the antidote, and returned you here. You seem no worse for the wear." "Dacre? Yes, I seem to recall him helping me." He rubbed his shoulder and yawned. "Really, though, I think I'm fine. Are you sure this all happened?"

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Max Griffin "Quite sure, my friend." A smile flashed across his features and revealed gleaming teeth. "Dacre thinks highly of you. And of our Luke, too." Luke's clear tenor broke into the room. "Who thinks highly of me?" Gabe's heart leaped at the sound of his lover's voice. "Luke! You're up and about!" "You bet. The good doctor here says I'm all cured." He draped an arm over Ari's shoulder. "He was a good patient." Ari flashed his teeth once more and slipped an arm about Luke's waist. Gabe gritted his teeth and stared, saying nothing for several beats. "Well, if he's cured then we can be on our way. Thank you so much for your kindness, Ari." He labored to keep his voice measured and formal. "You are most welcome for the assistance, my friend. But it is not necessary for you to leave. Luke informs me there are several days left to your holiday. I would rejoice if you were to spend them here. Unless you find us inhospitable." His arm squeezed Luke and he winked. "Yeah, don't be a goof, Gabe. We should be grateful to Ari. This is a great place -- a luxury resort and it's free. Just the kind of place you like." His hand pressed Ari's shoulder, and he tipped his head toward the sitting room. "Dacre deliv-

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The Ascension ered a great breakfast for us. I don't know about you guys, but I'm famished." He strode into the other room. Ari leaned down and murmured in Gabe's ear, "Please do consider staying, my young friend. You won't regret it, I assure you. I mean you no harm." A finger lingered on the inside of Gabe's wrist before he stood and turned to the other room. "I regret that I can't join you this morning. I have heavy duties today, shipping out supplies and attending to arriving dignitaries. You can reach me or Dacre with your medallions, and the lounge you used yesterday is open." A mouthful of breakfast muffled Luke's voice. "Okay, that's good. Dacre showed me the way this morning, and I'm sure I can retrace my steps. We don't want to be a bother." "Very well, then, gentlemen. I'll take your leave." He bowed and departed. Gabe jumped out of bed and strode to the sofa. He pulled on his boxer shorts and reached for his hiking togs. "Get dressed. Your backpack is over there. I want to get out of this place. Today." "What's the rush? It's great here." "This shit just doesn't add up. He told me that it was still storming out two days ago and we couldn't MedEvac you to a public hospital, then he turned around and said that he'd gotten a shipment of supplies not fifteen minutes later. Now he's pressuring us to stay here. I don't like it." 84

Max Griffin "So you want to leave just because he got some supplies in? What a goof you are." "Stop it." Gabe snatched his sweatshirt over his head and glared at his partner. "Will you listen to me, just once? They're all secret-like about this place, and they haven't even hinted that we can leave, or shown us the way out." "They're just being friendly." "No, they're not." He hopped on one leg and pulled on his hiking shorts. "Ari's been fucking manipulative every time I've talked to him. And I don't like the way he treats you. Like he owns you, or something." He jerked his legs one at a time into his sweat pants, pulling them on over his shorts. "Just think about it. This place is huge. Where did it come from? What are they doing here? Was there any indication of an old military base on your Geological Survey maps?" "Well, no. But isn't this owned by his company? A private reserve wouldn't be on the maps." "He told me it was an abandoned military base. That would have been there, right?" "Well, I guess so." Luke frowned. "This isn't like you, babe. What's got into you?" "I'm just sick of being pushed around, is all." He planted his hands on his hips. "I'm leaving, one way or another. Are you coming with me?"

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The Ascension Luke gazed at him through hooded eyes. "I still think you're being a goof. But I didn't like being separated from you, either." He heaved a sigh. "We stay together from now on." He stood and dug through his pack. "I don't think I can lug this heavy thing back down the mountain. Can we leave it here?" "Yeah, I guess. I just want out of here. I'm willing to hike all day and all night, if that's what it takes." He looked at his pack and pulled out his canteen. "We'll want to take some water along." He thought about the crystal powder and the capsules hidden away in his precious baggies. I've got to get the crank, somehow. "Do you know the way out of here? I only know how to get from here to the hot tub room." "This is a level down from where I spent the first night. If I can find the way back there, I'm sure I can locate the tunnel that goes outside." His eyes lingered on his medallion, but he resisted the temptation to sling it about his neck. Probably has a fucking tracking device in it. Besides, the goal is to get away from these jerks. He hitched up his pants. "I got to use the can. You should too, before we go." He strode off to the bath while Luke finished dressing. When he came back, Luke retreated in silence to the other room and he took advantage of the moment alone to snatch the two baggies from his pack.

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Max Griffin After inhaling a quick hit from the powder, he slipped them both into a pocket of his shorts and buttoned it shut. Gabe led the way down the corridor with his lover a half-step behind. Luke looked over his shoulder and said, "I admit these corridors are pretty spooky. I can't see anything in front of us or behind us." "I forgot, you've been in bed. Yeah, it's creepy. I had this nightmare last night — something about roaming through here, I can't quite recall it. I felt like a blood cell pumping along inside the mountain. Have you heard that rumble?" "What rumble? I've had weird dreams too. What was yours about?" "I can't remember for sure. My first night here I had this flaked out wet dream. You were in it, and I was all tied up. I shot all over the sheets, like some junior high nerd." "Oooh, tied up! Kinky! Did you like it?" He leered at his partner and waggled his eyebrows. "It was just whacked out. I bet last night's was even creepier, but I can't remember the details. I think we turn here." They wound their way up the spiral ramp to the next level. When they reached the cross-corridor, Gabe looked both ways. "Shit, this place is a fucking maze." He strode to 87

The Ascension his right. "I think we go this way. If I'm wrong, we can double back." A few hundred yards later they came upon an intersecting corridor, but no ramp. Gabe stopped and looked down the corridor and back the way they'd come. "I don't recall a crossing corridor. I think we should turn back and try the other way." "Whatever you say. This is your show." Less than fifty paces from the ramp in the other direction, they came to another intersection. "Still no ramp." Gabe scowled. "I don't know what to do." "You sure that there was no cross-corridor that first night?" "I'm sure. I suppose I could be wrong, but I'm not uncertain." "Tell you what. Let's count off five hundred paces more in this direction and see what we find." "How far is that?" "A little over eight hundred feet." "Okay. I'm sure we didn't walk that far that first night." Gabe strode ahead, counting. They passed another intersection and a ramp heading down, but nothing heading up. "I'm stumped. We must be in the wrong corridor."

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Max Griffin "So let's go back down to where we started. Maybe we took the wrong ramp up." "That could be." He squeezed Luke's hand. "You're so organized. Maybe I am a goof. I could have sworn I followed the right path." "If you're a goof, you're my goof. Let's go." Less than two hundred paces from where they took the up ramp they found a second one spiraling upward. Luke hesitated before they entered it and mused, "You know, I don't think this lines up with the down ramp we found in the other corridor. That one was almost eight hundred paces along." "Maybe the levels don't all interconnect. This place is a rat's nest." "More like a human-sized ant farm." He looked at Gabe and raised his brows. "You're in charge. Do we go up?" "I don't know what else to do. You know, there's bound to be more than one entrance to this place, as huge as it is. All we have to do is find one." "Right. Does it occur to you that we haven't seen anyone else since we left your rooms?" "Yeah. But this place is huge. You could lose an army here. On the other hand, it would take an army to keep it running. Also, Ari kept talking about other people arriving. Da-

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The Ascension cre mentioned staff too. Where are they? You'd think we'd see someone." "Well, let's hope we don't meet them. Lead on." "You know, I think we should just start taking every up ramp we come to. Eventually this place has to get smaller as we get closer to the top, right?" "Makes sense." Luke pursed his lips. "And there's no roads leading here, so there has to be a heliport or something for all this stuff arriving here. Makes sense to me that'd be higher up, rather than lower." Hours later, they were in a corridor four levels above their starting place. For the first time, they could see both ends of the hallway in the distant shadows. Gabe paused and caught his breath. "Look, this one's not all dark. There's some light down there at the mid-point." They trudged on, arriving on a well-lit balcony that overlooked a large room about forty feet below them. "Shit, what is this place?" Luke whispered. A silvery disk, at least fifty yards across, filled the room. Men in black uniforms bustled about, loading crates and carrying clipboards. An occasional rustle of conversation interrupted the bustling activity, but the overall impression was the organized chaos surrounding an airplane before takeoff.

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Max Griffin Gabe gasped and nudged Luke. "What the fuck is that?" he whispered. He pointed to a short figure with grey skin and a huge head, skulking in one corner. "That is one of the Greys." Panic coursed through Gabe as he whirled about to find a uniformed figure lurking in the shadows. Dacre's face coalesced from the dark as he edged forward and held a finger to his lips. "Shush. Don't let them hear you." Gabe's voice trembled as he spoke, and his breath came in shallow gasps. "What are you doing here?" he whispered. "I could ask you the same." He shook his head. "You wish to escape, don't you?" "What if we do?" Gabe admired the steady bravado in Luke's voice and wished he could be as strong. Dacre favored them with a thin smile. "Why, then, I'll help you." He gazed into their eyes, one after the other. "The Voievode has cloaked all the exits on this level, so you can't escape from up here. I'll have to show you another way out. You know that he means to make prisoners of you?" "We'd guessed." Gabe heaved another tremulous breath. "Look, we just want to go home. Just show us how to get outside!"

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The Ascension The medallion hanging about Dacre's neck started to flash with a brilliant cobalt light. "I shall, but we will have to hurry. I'm being summoned, and he will become suspicious soon." He trotted away and the two lovers followed him. "What did we just see back there?" Luke demanded. "That's one of the Grey's spaceships. They're here to load up on their narcotics and ship them back to their home world." "Narcotics?" Gabe gasped as he struggled to keep up. Vague memories from the night before percolated in his mind. Dacre extended an arm and halted the little entourage. He ran his thumb over a pad next to one of the doors, and it opened to reveal a small chamber. "Inside the elevator. Quickly, now!" Once they crowded in, he pushed at glowing buttons on the inner wall, and the elevator swooshed downward. "All right, this will take a minute or so. The Greys are drug runners. They capture humans and use us kind of like the Colombian cartels use mules. We're infected with a mix of things — nematodes, bacteriophage, and prions. The bacteria in our gut processes the excretions from the nematodes, and the bacteriophage turn the result into the alien equivalent of crank. The prions keep our immune system and our minds under control. Clear?"

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Max Griffin Gabe's head buzzed with confusion. "What? This is all too fast. Aliens I get, I guess. But drug runners?" "Why the fuck else would they go to all the trouble to keep coming back to this shitty, backwater planet? They make a fortune off the drugs we produce for them." Luke shook his head. "Still doesn't make sense. Wouldn't the infection kill the hosts? Or the drugs make the humans high? And why use humans instead of, say, cows?" The door oozed open, and Dacre stuck his head out, looking both ways. "Okay, it's clear. Come on." He rushed down the corridor, the lights swelling around them. The rumble of the machinery drummed louder now, thudding against their chests. "Look, alien crank doesn't do anything to humans. Well, not much of anything, at least short-term. It makes us susceptible to suggestion, and less able to feel empathy. Think of us as like a cult, or a pack, where all that matters is loyalty to the leader. So we don't get sick from it, and the loyalty makes us easy to manage. They tried other animals, but humans work best for them. We're smart, and once infected we manage ourselves. They're lazy and don't have to spend a lot of time or effort tending to us." Gabe stopped. "Wait. So you've got this crap inside of you? You're infected?" "Yeah. Ari did me ten years ago. He fucked me. That's his favorite way of infecting his victims." 93

The Ascension Luke's foot slipped on the polished floor. He gasped and caught himself against Dacre's shoulder, who steadied him with a firm hand. "Careful, there! Are you all right? You're white as a sheet." "Yeah. There must have been a slick spot on the floor." Luke shook his head. "Just go! I want out of here." "Well, watch your step." Dacre rushed on. "Anyway, I almost died that first year, what with them draining my blood every week and his sadism. Eventually, Ari decided to keep me as his toy. He made me watch while he killed the guy he'd been with before me; drained him like a pig in a slaughterhouse. You know they take our blood, right? That's where their crank winds up, in our blood. They even use it to shoot up." "That's disgusting!" Luke shook his head. He halted and tugged at Dacre's arm. "And it's fucking fantastic. Why should we believe any of this horseshit?" Dacre stopped, too, and gazed at Gabe. "He knows. He saw last night. Think, Gabe. I didn't use full power on you. Those memories are still there." Gabe stumbled against the wall and gagged. "Fuck. It wasn't a dream? Oh, God, this is horrible." He turned stricken eyes on his lover. "I did see, last night. They drained this guy's blood while Ari fucked him. Then one of those things stuck Ari in the neck with a syringe, drew blood out of him, 94

Max Griffin and shot up with it. It was disgusting, just like a tweaker, only a thousand times worse. And Ari liked it." "They are disgusting," Dacre agreed. "They reek when they shoot up, and they're cruel too. Sometimes they just keep taking the blood out until the mule is dead, exsanguinated." Luke's voice dripped with skepticism. "I don't smell anything. I thought you said they were shooting up last night?" "There was only one last night, so the odor wasn't very strong. Plus they vent it out into the mountain air. It smells kind of like rotten vegetation. Most humans aren't bothered by it, but the faintest trace drives most animals crazy. When you climbed the mountain, I bet there wasn't any wildlife around, was there?" "No. We talked about that, remember Luke? I heard an owl the first night, and that was it." "Yeah, some owls and ground squirrels seem not to smell it either, like most humans. But their stench chases everything else away." Dacre hestiated, sweat gleaming on his brow. "We can't screw around like this much longer." He looked behind them and started back down the corridor. "Come on." They rushed after him and into a side corridor. Chill air wafted across them and before long the walls turned to rough-hewn stone.

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The Ascension "You know, they've been doing this for centuries, maybe millenia." Dacre's voice dripped with disgust. "Their...veterinarians give special treatment to their favorite humans. The Voievode, for example, has spent over two centuries with this gang of butchers. They stuck microcircuits etched on carbon nanotubes up his nose — and mine too — for mind control and communication." He paused at a crossing corridor and then waved them forward. "The nanotubes interact with the prions and eventually destroy parts of the brain. I don't think that Ari can feel emotion anymore. He's a master at pretending to feel, at pretending to be human. Like Ted Bundy. Like the serial killer that he is. Maybe he feels loyalty to the Greys. I know he gets pleasure in giving pain. But there's not much that's human left in him." They turned another corner and almost tripped over a man dressed in a black uniform, wearing a tool belt laden with strange devices. He knelt before one of the door mechanisms, and wires snaked from the circuit board in his hand back into the wall. "Knyaz Dacre!" He jumped to his feet and his eyes narrowed at the sight of Gabe and Luke. "What are..." A bright flash from a tube in Dacre's hand illuminated the man's face and interrupted his speech. A vague scent of burnt sage filled the corridor for an instant. The young workman's face paled and his muscles turned from steel to butter 96

Max Griffin as he slouched against the wall. His eyes became black, insensate pools as his pupils dilated. Dacre gripped his shoulders whispered into his ear, "Ön nem lát minket. Van semmi ból érdekel itt. Folytat val munkád." The worker returned to his duties as though they weren't there. "Come on. He won't bother us." The words hissed from Dacre's lips, and he pushed them along the corridor. "I didn't think there'd be workers this deep in the mountain," he muttered. Gabe hung back, looking at the man. "What did you just do? What language was that?" "Hungarian. Hurry! It will wear off in a few minutes. I used this on you last night. It's a weapon that makes the target...suggestible. It's a kind of mind control. I told him to forget he saw us, that he should go back to his job." Luke frowned while he tugged Gabe along the corridor after Dacre. "Like hypnotism? The flash did that?" "The flash is only a small part of it. It causes neural incoherence. The main component of the weapon is an aerosol, a kind of narcotic. The Voievode has been using this drug for centuries. With it, he can make people do almost anything, believe almost anything. He can make them forget what happened, or remember something that didn't happen. Together with the prions, it's how he controls the new agents he sends into the world." He stopped. "We're here." 97

The Ascension They reached the end of the tunnel. All signs that the corridor was artificial had vanished, and it had morphed into what looked like the entrance to a small cave. Outside, Gabe could see a growth of discouraged sumac and juniper cloaking the opening. He grasped Luke's hand and faced Dacre. "So why are you helping us?" "I don't know. I guess, when I saw how much you love each other it brought something back in me." His gaze softened as it fell on Gabe. "Maybe those parts of my brain that feel love aren't totally destroyed yet." He turned to glare at Luke, and scowled. "Or maybe I just wanted Ari for myself. Maybe it was self-preservation." He shook himself. "Go! There's a cabin about half a mile from here, down that trail. Spend the night there. This area is below the sensors built into the mountain — that's how Ari found you that first night. Don't build a fire tonight; the smoke would show." Dacre shivered in a gust of cold air from outside. "It'll be dark soon, and the trail isn't safe at night. Ari will never think you found this exit, so he'll decide you must be hiding in the mountain. He'll spend at least a couple of days searching the base, so you'll be safe spending the night. You've got less than a day's walk from there to the parking lot where you left your car. Just don't dawdle tomorrow." He turned on his heel and disappeared back down the tunnel. 98

Max Griffin Luke watched him depart and shook his head. "Fuck. How much of that crap do you believe?" "Who cares? I'm just glad to be out of there!" He tugged at his lover's hand. "Come on, let's go! It's getting dark." Half an hour later, they were back at the little clearing where they had spent their first night. The snow had already melted at this elevation and the temperatures, while chilled, were not frigid. The two cuddled together, and before long Luke snored. Gabe, on the other hand, stared at his lover and wondered about what had happened. It seemed like a nightmare. It just couldn't be true. Or could it? He heard an owl's hoot in the distance, and snuggled closer. It doesn't matter. By this time tomorrow, we'll be home. He fell into a fitful sleep, troubled by nightmares of aliens, blood, and bondage.

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The Ascension

- Day Six -

"Gabe, honey, wake up." He squinted reluctant eyes and saw his lover's concerned face looming above him. The pleasant smell of hickory emanated from a small fire that burned in the hearth, filling the little cabin with a golden glow. A log shifted, and a cascade of sparks and smoke puffed forth. For just that brief instant, the flames cast a ruddy gleam in Luke's eyes, and then it was gone. "I thought we couldn't build a fire." His voice felt raw in his throat. "I know." Luke leaned back next to Gabe and toasted his open palms before the flames. "But it's snowing again this morning, and fucking cold. I found some matches in my pocket that weren't mush, so I built one." "More snow?" Gabe's heart sank as he pictured hiking down the mountain trail in a storm. "Haven't we had enough bad luck on this trip?" He stretched his aching muscles, and his joints creaked. "At least the fire feels good. I wish we had food." 100

Max Griffin "I thought to snag some from your pack before we left." He reached into a pocket and pulled out some beef jerky. "Here. It'll help give you some energy." The instant rush promised by the white powder in Gabe's pocket beckoned, but he took the ropey offering and chewed on it. He glanced out the window. "It's not coming down very hard. You sure the trail will be safe?" "Pretty sure. It was coming down harder, earlier, but we're lower here." He rubbed his hands together and stood. "I wish we had coffee." Gabe shook himself and crawled to his feet. "Me too." He gripped his crotch. "Geeze, I got to go. How cold is it out?" "Cold, but bearable if you hurry. There's no wind to speak of. Just watch your step. It thawed yesterday and then froze overnight, so it's slicker than snot on glass." "Great. I'll be right back." Gabe dashed outside, ran behind the cabin, and relieved himself. Safe from Luke's view, he fumbled with his pocket and withdrew his baggie. His fingers trembled, whether from the cold or his need he couldn't say. He sat on the grill where he'd fixed coffee just days before and snorted two quick hits. His body shuddered as the drug flushed through his system. Got to be careful with this stuff. Probably shouldn't have done two lines. He stuffed the stash back

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The Ascension into his pocket and stomped his feet. Fuck it. I need the extra rush to get started this morning. He pushed back inside the cabin where his lover still huddled before the fire. He rested his hand on Luke's shoulder and murmured, "We should probably go, don't you think?" He reached up and clasped Gabe's hand before he stood. "Yeah, you're right." He stirred at the fire with a stick. "Shit, man, we're fucking lucky to be alive, you know?" Gabe shuddered. "You're telling me. Right now, I just want to get out of here." "Me too. But what then? After we're back in Portland. What do we do then?" "What do you mean?" Gabe frowned, thinking of telling this story to the authorities. It'll sound crazy. No one will believe it! "We don't do anything. All they'd do is make trouble for us. For being on the mountain this late in the season." He frowned. "You're right, I guess. I just want to go home and never go camping again." Luke stirred the fire. "Help me put this out, and we'll take off." Gabe trudged down the trail after his lover. He was grateful that Luke would warn him of the occasional icy

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Max Griffin patch, or stop to help him over a rough spot on the path. After a couple of hours, the snow stopped falling. "I think it's getting warmer. Or else I'm freezing to death." Luke stopped and grinned at him. "Oh, it's warmer all right." He pointed. "Look, the snow's melting again. That'll just make the icy patches slicker." He looked around. "Hey, this is where we stopped for lunch on the way up. You ready to take a breather?" "You know, I just want to get back to our car and get out of this place." He pursed his lips and looked Luke up and down. "But how are you feeling? You're the one that was so sick!" "I seem to be fine. I'm a little tired, but I'm feeling fine. Whatever it was, I think I'm over it." He stopped where a rivulet of melting snow ran down the path over glazed ice. "Hey, it looks real slick here. Be extra careful, okay?" "I'll be careful." He edged along the path. "You know, Ari said you had gall stones and that you'd be fine. I guess maybe he was telling the truth about that, anyway." Luke gave him a strange look. "Ari?" A woman's shout interrupted him. "Halloo there!" Less than fifty meters down the trail stood a short, pudgy person wearing a smoky-the-bear hat. "Are you two lads all right?" Her contralto echoed from the rocks and reverberated 103

The Ascension in their ears. She carried a backpack with a large red cross emblazoned on it. Luke formed a megaphone with his hands. "Hello there! We could use some help up here!" He turned back to Gabe. "I bet they're looking for us. Someone must have found our car at the trail head and figured we got caught in the storm." "You think?" His heart fluttered at the prospect of rescue. "Whoopee!" He took off at a run down the trail toward the ranger. "Gabe! Be careful!" The warning came too late. Gabe's foot slipped on an ice patch. His arms pin-wheeled and his feet stumbled forward as he fought to stay upright. One step, two, three, but then his foot stuck in a hole in the trail and pain shot up his leg from his weakened ankle. His head slammed into the hard scrabble of the trail, and his vision turned brilliant red before blackness set in. **** His head throbbed. A deafening roar beat against him with a relentless chuff, chuff, chuff. Frigid winds whipped at the snow and blasted into his face. He tried to move, but his limbs were leaden weights anchoring him in place. His eyes 104

Max Griffin fluttered open, but the light was too much and it hurt. He squeezed his lids shut and tried to ignore the pain and the sounds assaulting him. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. His breath tore in his throat and his muscles ached. Swinging, he was moving. Someone was carrying him. Nausea welled up and his body convulsed. A bitter trickle of bile was all that his stomach could eject, and that erupted into his nose and burned his sinuses. The sound was louder now, unbearable, and the blast of cold air numbed his skin. Then, with a suddenness that took his breath away, the winds fell still and something—a door slamming?—muffled the roar. Luke's blessed voice whispered in his ear. "Don't worry, babe. They're here. We're only twenty minutes by helicopter from the hospital. You're going to be fine." A strange voice muttered in the background. Something swiped across his forehead and fire erupted in his scalp. Strong hands gripped his arm and a needle pricked a vein. His mind turned to rubber and his tongue to mush. Blessed blackness closed in once more. **** What's that fucking beep? Why won't it stop? He stirred, and found he could not move his arms. His eyes opened and he saw a squiggly display that matched the sound. Tubes grew 105

The Ascension from his arms and monitors clung to his bare chest. Hospital. I must be in a hospital. Shadows shrouded the room, the only illumination the dim light leaking in from the hallway. He flexed his arms and legs, and recognized the languid relaxation of a narcotic. He lifted his head, and his vision swam in liquid ripples, but he could see his body was all there. Straps bound his wrists to the metal side rails on the bed. His head pounded with each annoying chirp of that infernal machine. He opened his lips, but all that came out was a croak. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Is anyone here?" "Gabe! You're awake!" Luke's voice floated to him through the darkness. He turned his head and saw his lover sitting up in the other bed in the room. "How do you feel, babe?" "Like I've been run over by a truck. What happened? Where am I?" Luke pushed the call button clipped to his bed. "We're in a hospital in Baker City. You fell and busted your head open. You gave me quite a scare, but you're going to be fine." "So, how did I get here?" "Lucky for us, the rangers were looking for us. One found us right where you fell, and she radioed for help. She bandaged your head while we waited, then they flew us by 106

Max Griffin MedEvac here. You've been out all day." He glanced at his watch. "It's almost nine PM now." He shook his head and groaned as pain throbbed through his skull, as though his veins swelled with each heartbeat and squeezed at his brain like ropes pulling tighter and tighter. "So, how are you?" "I'm good. They checked me in too, just to be safe. Somehow, you had it right. They said it must have been a gall stone attack up there on the mountain. Now that I've passed the stone, I'll be fine." "How's my patient doing?" A short woman entered, dressed in surgical greens with a stethoscope draped about her neck. "I'm Doctor Schmidt." She flipped through his chart. "Mr. Harker, is it?" "Call me Gabe." "Mmmm." She took his pulse and peered into his eyes. "How do you feel?" She undid the straps that bound his wrists. "We won't be needing these anymore." "I feel sore, and way woozy." "Uh huh. Woozy is from the Demoral; sore is from the mountain. Follow my finger with your eyes." He watched her hand move from his far left peripheral vision to his right, then back again. "Anything broken, Doctor?"

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The Ascension "No. A concussion, just a few stitches to sew up where you hit your head. You didn't break anything." She stood back and beamed at him. "This is your lucky day, uh," she paused and looked at his chart again, "Gabriel." She jotted down some notes. "You should rest now. I want you to sleep. Both of you." She nodded to Luke. "Get back in bed. I can have the nurse bring something to help you sleep if you want. Gabe, I'm afraid I can't do that for you. We'll have to wake you every couple of hours to check on your condition." Luke crawled back between his sheets. "I could use something to help me sleep, I think. The rangers said they were going to come tomorrow morning. They were pissed that we were up in the mountains when the storm hit. They said they have to investigate whenever something like this happens, so I want to be rested for them." Gabe rested his head on his pillow and closed his eyes. "Well, like you said, we were lucky. And I don't care what you say, they for sure need to investigate what we found up there!" Luke gave him a puzzled look. "What we found?" "God yes! You know. That old military base, and Ari, and the flying saucer, and the aliens for God's sake!" "What the fuck are you talking about? Aliens?"

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Max Griffin Luke's look of genuine shock snatched the breath from his throat, and a cold thrill of fear rushed through him. "You know. You were there. We both saw it. Those monsters were horrible, and the old base was huge! Ari saved your life, but then he wouldn't let us go. Dacre helped us escape. The aliens were drug runners and..." He trailed off, seeing the expression on Luke's face. "Doctor, what's wrong with him? He's talking crazy!" She frowned and gazed into Gabe's face. "I'm not sure. I wouldn't expect hallucinations from this kind of injury." She tapped her finger on the chart and took more notes. "I'm going to order a complete blood workup tomorrow." She peered at Gabe and raised her voice a bit. "You haven't been taking any drugs have you? I need to know. They might interact with your medications." She uttered each syllable with precision, as if he might not understand. He couldn't look at Luke. "No drugs," he muttered. He gripped her hand in panic and fought the tremor in his voice. "You have to believe me. They told me it was an old military base! People around here must know about it!" "Mr. Harker, there's not been a military base here, ever. I grew up in this town, and so did my parents. There used to be a logging operation on the other side of the mountain, but no military base." She shined her light into his eyes

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The Ascension again. "Tell you what. I'm going to prescribe Lorazepam for you tonight. It's a mild sedative..." "I know what Lorazepam is. I've taken it before." Gabe couldn't look at Luke. Fuck, I don't want to go through that again. Once in rehab enough! "Well, good. Then you know it will help you relax. Things will probably look different in the morning." She jotted notes in the chart. "I'll speak to the nurse." She strode from the room. Luke hesitated and then followed her out without a word. Gabe couldn't hear their whispered words, but he knew that Luke must suspect he was using again. Shit. I'm so fucked. How can he forgive me this time? And what if the meth made me nuts? How could he ever put up with that? His memories of what had happened the last few days still terrified him, but now he wondered if they were hallucinations, brought on by the meth. The memories seemed so real. But he remembered the last time he was using. He'd been so sure then that everyone was plotting against him, but now he knew it was just the drugs. This can't be happening again! Please, not again. But it all seemed so real! He shuddered, swamped by uncertainty, fear, and guilt. Short minutes later, a pert little male nurse entered the room with two small white pills. "Here you go, Gabe. These will make you feel better." Miserable with doubt and

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Max Griffin confusion, he took the medication and slipped into a dreamless sleep.

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The Ascension

- Day Seven -

"I'm glad to see you have your appetite back, Gabe." The nurse this morning was an older woman, with her hair tied in a neat bun. She shined a penlight into his eyes. "You know the drill. Follow my finger." "How much longer to we have to do this?" "Dr. Schmidt should be in at eleven for your next check. She can answer your questions. Sit on the edge of the bed, please." He complied while she tested his reflexes with a rubber hammer. "Am I still alive?" "You're doing fine, Gabe. Do you know where you're at?" "The hospital in Baker City. In bed. Not at home." She made a note in his chart. "What day is it?" "It's still Saturday." "Good." She examined the bandages on his scalp. "And how's our head feel this morning?" "Mine feels good. I don't know about yours." 112

Max Griffin She sniffed. "Well, then, you call me if you start to feel dizzy or disoriented, all right?" She placed a smile on her face and turned to Luke. "You're doing all right, Mr. Weston?" "Couldn't be better." "I wouldn't be surprised if the Doctor discharges you today." "That's good, but I'll want to stay close to Gabe." "Well, we'll need your bed. But I'm sure the night staff will work something out." Another cheerless smile flashed on her features. "Will there be anything else?" Without waiting for an answer, she turned on her heel and left. "Finally, we're alone!" Luke sat on the edge of his bed and gazed at his partner. "I know what you mean! It was like a convention, the way they kept parading through here. The orderly with the food was hunky, though." Gabe clicked on the television. "I hate daytime TV. You want to watch ER? I wish our doctor looked like Noah Wylie." Luke sighed. "Gabe, we need to talk. Will you please turn that off? The park ranger will be here at ten, and we need to get our stories straight." "I can't even think straight, you know that." He muted the television, but continued to watch the screen instead of his lover. 113

The Ascension "This is serious. You can't run away from this problem." Luke's solemn tones belied the tension that writhed in his muscles. His hands pressed against the wrinkles in his sheets and he didn't look up. "You've been using again, haven't you?" Silence. Luke sighed and lifted his eyes. "It's all right. I love you. We'll get through this, somehow. But you've got to be honest with me." "I'm so sorry! I just thought, you know, a few hits and I could keep up better. It's not like I'm addicted again, or anything." "You know it doesn't work that way, Gabe. It's like being 'just a little queer.' You're either a tweaker, or you're not." Shame flooded through him, and tears welled in his eyes. "I know. I should never have done it. But it didn't seem to hurt, and it was just a few lines." He sniffled. "My stash is in my pants pocket. Throw it away, okay?" "I already found it last night, and flushed it." He scowled, at last showing some anger. "What were you thinking?" "I don't know. I guess I wasn't. You're just so athletic, and you were so looking forward to this camping trip, and

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Max Griffin I'm such a wimp. I was afraid you'd make fun of me for not keeping up, and it was so easy to just take a hit." "Have you been going to meetings?" "Yes. No. I'll start again, I promise." Luke's chest rose and fell, and he looked at the floor before responding. "Well, you sure won't be using for the next week or so. The doctor wants to keep you here until she's sure you're recovered. She suspects already." His face softened, and he lowered his voice. "I don't know what I'd do without you. I was so worried, up there on the mountain, when I found you in that snowdrift." "Snowdrift?" "Yeah. You've been pretty out of it the last three days." He sighed. "I guess you don't have any idea what really happened, do you? I got sick, and you saved me. You saved us both, in fact. You pitched the tent; you helped me into my sleeping bag; you lit the camp stove; you did everything." A wan smile played across his lips. "You were very brave. I always knew you had it in you." "I was terrified you had appendicitis and were going to die, right there!" "Well, I didn't. Anyway, I woke up alone, in the dark, and slipped out the tent to take a piss. It was, like, the most painful thing I've ever done in my life. The doctor seems to think I passed a gall stone. I must have fainted, at least for a 115

The Ascension minute or two. When I came around, I was laying in the snow, and I heard you shouting. I could see your flashlight flickering through the storm, maybe fifty feet away. Then the light went out and I heard this god-awful crack. That must have been your head hitting a rock. I crawled through the drifts, and there you were. Your head was a bloody mess and you were unconscious." "Right. That's when Ari showed up from nowhere. But you were still asleep in the tent." "Gabe, there wasn't anybody else there. I dragged you back to the tent and patched you up as best I could. You were delirious the next two days, in and out of it. You raved a lot, too, but it was mostly gibberish." "No. Ari showed up and took us to the old military base inside the mountain. I remember it all so clearly!" "Trust me, that never happened. You keep that up, and the doctor will send you off to the nuthouse. Remember the last time you were using? You had all those fantasies about how everyone was against you? You were sure I was playing around on you? Like I ever would!" More guilt flashed through him, but a stubborn thread of rebellion stiffened his resolve. "I know. But this wasn't like that. Back then, I thought it was all happening behind my back, out of sight. This time, it was all right there, in front of me, real time." He thought. "Wait! Ari told me you 116

Max Griffin had a gall stone. How would I have known about that if he didn't tell me?" "I kind of thought that was what was wrong, after I started feeling better. I might have said something, there in the tent. I talked to you a lot, to try to keep us both sane." "But it all seemed so real! I just can't believe it wasn't!" He hated the whine in his voice, and hated even more the weak tears that streamed down his cheeks. Luke sat on the edge of his bed and took his hand. "Look, honey, you've read the same things I have. Amphetamines can cause paranoia, like before, but they can cause hallucinations too. And who knows what other shit might have been in your street drugs. Where'd you get 'em?" "Rennie," he muttered, evading Luke's gaze. "Right. Of course," his voice dripped with sarcasm. "Renner. You know he trips out on acid. It'd be just like that asshole to lace your meth with boomers." "So, you're saying none of it happened? No Ari, no base, no flying saucer, no space aliens shooting up on human blood?" "God, that's what you thought? Aliens getting high by shooting up on our blood? That's disgusting! What's been going on in your goofy head?" He shuddered. "No, none of it. You babbled a lot, and I figured you'd been using again,

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The Ascension since some of it was about drugs. But that's all just crazy stuff. Think it through." "So, you're the one that saved me from the blizzard that second night?" "Yeah, after you saved me. We're even." "I guess it does seem pretty outrageous. It was like these passages honeycombed the whole mountain. And then we found this flying saucer, and these monsters showed up." He shook his head. "It was like a horrible nightmare." "I bet it was a bad trip. You were out of your head from hitting your head, and from the shit you shoved up your nose. God knows what Rennie slipped you in your meth." A trembling sigh escaped Gabe's lungs. "So, what really happened?" "After the snow let up, I led you back down the mountain to the cabin where we spent the first night. We stayed there, and then the rangers found us the next morning. They'd been searching for about a day, after they found our car in the parking lot. They called in the helicopter and brought us here." "I kind of remember the helicopter." "You were starting to come out of it yesterday morning. You helped me build a fire at the cabin." He wiped his eyes. "Do you forgive me? I'm such an awful person." 118

Max Griffin Luke squeezed his hand. "You're not an awful person. You just made a mistake. But I love you." He leaned over and kissed him on the lips. He stood and grinned at him. "So, you're clear on what happened on the mountain, then?" "I guess. I think I'll just tell them I was out of it and don't remember anything after I fell in the snowstorm." "That's probably best." Luke smiled at him and, for an instant, the sun gleamed in his eyes, and a ruddy glow exuded from the depths of his soul. Gabe lay back and took in his lover's sweet countenance. "Hey, did you hurt your neck?" "I don't think so." "Come here, you." Gabe reached out and fingered the bruise on his lover's throat. He traced a tiny lump beneath the skin, and the carotid artery pulsed under his fingers. "It looks like something bit you. I can see a little puncture wound." "Huh. Maybe the doctor did something. Or it could have happened on the mountain." "You know, I could swear I've seen it before, though." He shrugged and beamed at his lover. "I just worry about you!" He reached behind Luke's neck to pull him closer and a slim chain, hidden under the hospital gown, rasped against his fingertips. "What's this?" He tugged at it, pulling it out from under the garment and exposed what lay hidden underneath. 119

The Ascension That was when fear seized in his heart and terror shook his world. For there, clinging under Luke's gown, was a medallion, just like the one Ari had given him. There was the triangular opal resting in the silver setting. There was the perforation for the microphone. With trembling fingers, he pushed the opal, and it pulsed with an intense, cobalt light. He turned stricken eyes to his lover. Luke's features froze before a little smile trifled with his lips. The sunlight once again glimmered in his eyes, and Gabe's heart stammered with grief and fear. Luke leaned over, and his dry lips kissed Gabe's forehead. A cold hand caressed his cheek. "Don't say anything, my angel Gabriel," he whispered. "We wouldn't want anyone to think you're crazy." Gabe's thoughts fogged, and a whiff of pungent spices filled his lungs. "Hush. Hush, my sweet," Luke murmured. "All will be well. You must trust me in all things. Forget that which troubles you, and you will be made glad." The scent of burnt sage lingered for a just moment, and then, like the remembrance of things past, faded to oblivion.

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- About the Author -

Max Griffin is the pen name of a professional mathematician and academic. Under his professional name, he is the author of a graduate textbook in real analysis and numerous research articles. When he is not writing fiction, his days are filled with teaching mathematics and statistics, research, and administrative work at a major comprehensive university in the southwest. He is the proud parent of a daughter who is a librarian. He is blessed to be in a long-term relationship with his life partner, Mr. Gene, who is an expert knitter. The two humans in Max's household are the pets of an Abyssinian cat named Mr. Dinger, short for Erwin Schrodinger the Cat. Mr. Dinger graciously lets them live in his home in return for food and occasional petting. http://members.cox.net/maxgriffin Other Titles by Max available at loveyoudivine: The Time of His Life MEN from His and His Kisses: Dream a Little Dream of Me The Other Side of the Window The Hounds of Hollenbeck The Frog King Men on Holiday: On the Road

is dedicated to bringing you the finest erotic literature on the web. You are cordially invited to join us on a journey of sexual awakening and sensual passion. Visit us on the web at: www.loveyoudivine.com